Are Jellyfish... fish?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who Smarted?" - Episode: Are Jellyfish... Fish?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
• Host/Author: Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media
• Episode Title: Are Jellyfish... Fish?
• Release Date: August 13, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Are Jellyfish... Fish?" from the educational podcast "Who Smarted?", hosts Trusty and Captain Blobbins embark on an engaging ocean adventure aboard the Gelatinous Voyager. This episode delves deep into the fascinating world of jellyfish, addressing common misconceptions and uncovering intriguing facts about these enigmatic marine creatures.

Are Jellyfish Actually Fish?

Timestamp [01:39 - 01:49] Trusty poses the pivotal question: "True or false? Jellyfish are fish." Captain Blobbins responds, "False. Jellyfish are not fish. Wow." This revelation sets the stage for the episode, challenging listeners to rethink what they know about jellyfish.

Classification and Evolution

Timestamp [02:24 - 03:06] Captain Blobbins explains, "We belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes a group of aquatic animals such as corals, sea anemones, and hydras." Trusty adds, "Jellies have existed more than 500 million years. In fact, we're the oldest multiorgan animal on the planet." This segment highlights the ancient lineage and unique classification of jellyfish, emphasizing their longevity and evolutionary significance.

Habitats and Distribution

Timestamp [05:21 - 06:30] The discussion shifts to the diverse habitats of jellyfish. Trusty asks, "Where do you think jellies live?" and Captain Blobbins answers, "D all of the above," referencing tropical, polar, and temperate areas. He elaborates, "Jellies are highly adaptable and can survive in various marine habitats all over the world... in saltwater and fresh water, although freshwater jellies are less common." This underscores the remarkable adaptability of jellyfish across different marine environments.

Role in the Ecosystem

Timestamp [06:30 - 07:21] Captain Blobbins emphasizes the ecological importance of jellyfish: "Jellies are very important to the marine ecosystem. We're part of the food chain and are tasty treats for some predators, like sea turtles, certain fish, birds, and yes, some large jellies like to munch on smaller jellies." Trusty muses on the ubiquity of jellyfish, prompting a discussion on their role in maintaining marine balance.

Physical Characteristics

Timestamp [09:19 - 10:37] The conversation delves into the transparency of jellyfish. Captain Blobbins reveals, "Jellies are mostly transparent and jelly-like because about 95% of their bodies are made up of H2O, aka water." This high water content allows light to pass through, aiding in camouflage. Trusty further explores, "Depending on their species, jellies can be pink, yellow, blue, purple, white, and green," highlighting their vibrant diversity.

Anatomy and Physiology

Timestamp [11:10 - 12:03] Trusty questions the simplicity of jellyfish anatomy: "Do jellies have a brain or a heart?" Captain Blobbins clarifies, "We don't have a brain, a heart, blood, lungs, or bones, because we don't need them." He explains the three-layered structure: "An outer layer called the epidermis, an inner layer called the gastrodermis, where they digest their food, and a middle watery layer called the mesoglia that makes up the jelly-like umbrella shape part of their body." This segment illustrates the minimalist yet effective biological design of jellyfish.

Diet and Feeding

Timestamp [07:38 - 08:15] Trusty inquires about jellyfish diets: "What are jellies made of? Why are they see-through? How do jellies sting?" Captain Blobbins responds, "Our diets depend on our size and species. But our menu can include microscopic organisms called plankton, tiny animals called zooplankton, small fish, and crustaceans like shrimp and krill." Additionally, Trusty asks about jellyfish digestion, leading to an explanation of their central mouths used for both eating and expelling waste, which benefits marine ecosystems by recycling nutrients.

Movement

Timestamp [08:35 - 09:00] Trusty explores how jellyfish navigate the ocean: "Do you just float and let the ocean take you?" Captain Blobbins explains, "We use our mouths to help us move. By squirting water out of our mouths, we're able to propel ourselves forward. Then we swim by opening and closing our bodies like an umbrella." This mechanism showcases the unique locomotion of jellyfish, combining both passive and active movement.

Stinging: Purpose and Myths

Timestamp [12:40 - 19:55] A significant portion of the episode addresses the stinging capabilities of jellyfish. Trusty debunks a common myth: "True or false? If you do get stung by a jelly, you can ease the pain by rinsing the sting with human urine, AKA pee. Ew." Captain Blobbins confirms, "The answer is false," referencing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Instead, he advises proper first aid: removing tentacles with tweezers, flushing with ocean water, and using acidic liquids like vinegar.

Additionally, the hosts discuss why jellyfish sting: "Their tentacles have tiny structures called nematocysts, which are like microscopic harpoons filled with venom. When something brushes against the jelly's tentacles, the nematocysts fire and inject venom into the target." They also differentiate between various types of jellyfish, noting that while some have mild stings, others like the box jellyfish and Irukandji can be deadly.

Immortal Jellyfish

Timestamp [19:55 - 21:08] One of the most captivating topics is the "immortal jellyfish." Trusty asks, "True or false? An immortal jelly can live forever." Captain Blobbins answers, "True. Ish." He explains that the immortal jellyfish can reverse its aging process through transdifferentiation, allowing it to transform from its adult Medusa form back into a juvenile polyp form under certain conditions. This ability potentially enables it to live indefinitely, although it remains vulnerable to predators and diseases. Scientists are intrigued by this phenomenon as it may offer insights into human aging.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartwarming message from a listener, Faye from Zamora, Mexico, who praises the show for making learning enjoyable despite her learning challenges. The hosts express their gratitude and encourage all listeners to "keep smarting, smarty pants."

Notable Quotes:

• Trusty [01:39]: "True or false? Jellyfish are fish."
• Captain Blobbins [01:49]: "False. Jellyfish are not fish. Wow."
• Captain Blobbins [03:06]: "Jellies have existed more than 500 million years. In fact, we're the oldest multiorgan animal on the planet."
• Captain Blobbins [05:44]: "Jellies are highly adaptable and can survive in various marine habitats all over the world."
• Captain Blobbins [09:34]: "About 95% of their bodies are made up of H2O, aka water."
• Captain Blobbins [12:03]: "An outer layer called the epidermis, an inner layer called the gastrodermis... and a middle watery layer called the mesoglia."
• Captain Blobbins [17:08]: "The answer is false."
• Captain Blobbins [20:12]: "The immortal jellyfish can reverse its aging through a process called transdifferentiation."

Final Thoughts

"Are Jellyfish... Fish?" is a comprehensive episode that effectively combines humor with education, making complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining for young listeners. By dispelling myths, exploring biological intricacies, and highlighting the ecological significance of jellyfish, "Who Smarted?" fosters a deeper appreciation and curiosity for marine life among its audience.

Transcript

[Trusty]

And now it's time for. Who Smarted?

[Captain Blobbins]

Psst.

[Trusty]

Hey, smarty pants. Can you guess where I am? Between the seagulls calling, waves splashing, boat horns honking. It's pretty obvious I'm at McDonald's. Huh? Just kidding. I'm near the ocean. I just wanted to make sure you're paying attention. But I did pick up some chicken nuggets for a snack. Anyway, I'm at the Smarty harbor about to board the Gelatinous Voyager, a submersible that's going to take me and you on an ocean adventure.

[Captain Blobbins]

What?

[Trusty]

How do you like that? But it's not just some random ocean adventure. This is a chance to learn about the always fascinating, always squishy, sometimes stingy sea creature known as the jellyfish.

[Captain Blobbins]

Jellyfish? Arrr. Smarty pants, I can already tell you need some fish schooling. When it comes to my kind, we prefer to be called jellies or sea jellies. Anyhoo, welcome aboard to the Gelatinous Voyager. I'm your skipper, Captain Blobbins. Ahoy.

[Trusty]

Ahoy, Captain Blobbins. Mind if I don't shake your tentacle?

[Captain Blobbins]

No problem. I get that a lot.

[Trusty]

But it is great to meet you. I just can't believe we're going to be taught about jellyfish by an actual jellyfish.

[Captain Blobbins]

ARR.

[Trusty]

Sorry. I meant taught about jellies.

[Captain Blobbins]

Hold the fish better. You wouldn't want me to call you the trusty narrator fish when you're not a fish, would ya?

[Trusty]

No, of course not. But hold on, smarty pants. True or false? Jellyfish are fish. Right. The answer is.

[Captain Blobbins]

False. Jellyfish are not fish. Wow.

[Trusty]

That is quite a discovery. Right in the first minute or two of the show.

[Captain Blobbins]

That's right. And for the record, starfish aren't fish either. That's why they're called sea stars. Wow.

[Trusty]

And yet, all this time, so many people have been using common names that are incorrect. Smarty pants. That's what's known as a misnomer.

[Captain Blobbins]

Ah, good word, misnomer.

[Trusty]

So tell me, if jellies aren't fish, what are you?

[Captain Blobbins]

We belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes a group of aquatic animals such as corals, sea anemones, and hydras.

[Trusty]

Interesting. Look at that. We just learned another amazing fact about jellies.

[Captain Blobbins]

But wait, there's more. Did you know There are over 200 documented species of true jellies? Although there could be many more undiscovered jelly species. And we've been floating around since before the dinosaurs.

[Trusty]

Wait, Jellies are older than dinosaurs. Whoa.

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye aye. Jellies have existed more than 500 million years. In fact, we're the oldest multiorgan animal on the planet.

[Trusty]

Okay, okay, okay, this is all just too much. My head is going to explode from learning so much so fast. But on the other hand, I need to know more things like what are jellies made of? Why are they see through? How do jellies sting? And some of our Smarty pants listeners really want to know. Are jellies immortal? AKA do they live forever? Smartypants, get ready to dive deep for another whiff of science and history. On who Smarted?

[Captain Blobbins]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's Smart.

[Trusty]

And.

[Molly]

The Mysteries About True Histories podcast is back for season two. If you're a kid who would love to travel through time to solve cool mysteries, perplexing puzzles and tricky riddles, then this podcast is the perfect audio treat for you every week. Join me, Molly and my best friend Max as we take our problem solving skills to amazing places like Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, or the Galapagos Islands in 1875 to help out the one and only Charles Darwin. We never know where we're going to wind up or what we're going to, which is all part of the fun. So put on your time traveling shoes and listen as a family. You can listen to mysteries about true histories on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Trusty]

I gotta say, Captain Blobbins, the Gelatinous Voyager is a pretty cool name for a sub.

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye, but it's more than just the name. The word gelatinous means wobbly and jellyish and voyage, because this sub can travel to and explore ocean locations all over the world. And speaking of ocean locations, do you know where in the world sea jellies live?

[Trusty]

Oh, that's a great question, smarty pants. Where do you think jellies live? Is it A tropical areas near the equator where it's warm year round? B polar areas in the Arctic and Antarctic regions where it's very cold all year, or C temperate areas where the weather is mostly mild with a few changes throughout the year? Or D all of the above?

[Captain Blobbins]

The answer is D all of the above. Jellies are highly adaptable and can survive in various marine habitats all over the world. Be it cool temperate waters, warm tropical waters, and even the very cold polar waters of the Arctic and Antarctic oceans. You can find jellies in coastal waters, along the shore, the open sea, floating in the middle of the ocean, and in the deep sea, thousands of feet below the water surface. Jellies can also live in saltwater and fresh water, although freshwater jellies are less common.

[Trusty]

Smarty pants, have you ever seen jellies at the beach, maybe near where you live or when you've gone on vacation? Yep, they're pretty much everywhere, which is a good thing. Really? How so?

[Captain Blobbins]

How so? How so? Believe it or not, jellies are very important to the marine ecosystem. We're part of the food chain and are tasty treats for some predators, like sea turtles, certain fish, birds, and yes, some large jellies like to munch on smaller jellies.

[Trusty]

I wonder what a PBJF sandwich would taste like. Peanut butter and jellyfish.

[Captain Blobbins]

We're not fish.

[Trusty]

Right, right. Sorry.

[Captain Blobbins]

Also, there's no peanut butter in the ocean. But did you know some humans do eat jellies?

[Trusty]

Really?

[Captain Blobbins]

Yep. Especially inhabitants of east and Southeast Asia. Word on the street is we're actually quite delicious.

[Trusty]

Oh, I'll take your word for it. I'm actually more curious to know what jellies eat.

[Captain Blobbins]

That's easy. Our diets depend on our size and species. But our menu can include microscopic organisms called plankton, tiny animals called zooplankton, small fish, and crustaceans like shrimp and krill.

[Trusty]

I see. And how exactly do jellies eat? I mean, do you have a mouth?

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye, of course we have mouths. It's right here in the center of our bodies. That's also where we poop out of.

[Trusty]

Sorry, I couldn't hear you.

[Captain Blobbins]

I said it's also where we poop out of.

[Trusty]

Huh? That's what I thought you said. Ew.

[Captain Blobbins]

I know, I know. It may sound gross, smarty pants, but it's good for the ocean. When jellies eat and poop, we release nutrients back into the water that help marine ecosystems grow.

[Trusty]

In that case, I take back my ew. Moving on. How do jellies move on? Do you just float and let the ocean take you?

[Captain Blobbins]

Nope. We use our mouths to help us move. By squirting water out of our mouths, we're able to propel ourselves forward. Then we swim by opening and closing our bodies like an umbrell.

[Trusty]

Very cool. It's too bad jellies get a bad rap because of their venomous tentacles that sting.

[Captain Blobbins]

Ouch.

[Trusty]

But I can see right through you to who you really are. Get it? Because I can see right through you. Of course, I've always wondered why can you see right through a sea jelly?

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye. The answer to that question lies in what sea jellies bodies are made of. Many jellies are transparent or see through because their bodies are mostly made up of a particular substance.

[Trusty]

Okay, smarty pants, see if you can guess what substance jellies are mostly made of. Is it a gelatin, which is a protein also found in gummy candy and jelly?

[Captain Blobbins]

Yum.

[Trusty]

B, sea slime, or C, H2O, otherwise known as water?

[Captain Blobbins]

The answer is. See, jellies are mostly transparent and jelly like because about 95% of their bodies are made up of H2O, aka water. And their watery bodies allow light to pass through them, which helps them camouflage and bend into undersea environments, you know, to hide from predators.

[Trusty]

So what you're saying is jellies have the power of invisibility?

[Captain Blobbins]

Some, but not all. While some jellies are transparent, other jellies may be many colors. Depending on their species. Jellies can be pink, yellow, blue, purple, white and green.

[Trusty]

Come taste the jelly rainbow. Ew. But wait a second. If jellies are made nearly entirely of water, how are you alive? There has to be some other stuff inside a jelly.

[Captain Blobbins]

Yes. Jellies have a simple nervous system to detect light and vibrations and can absorb oxygen through their jelly like skin.

[Trusty]

Okay, that's something. But what about a brain or a heart or lungs or bones? Smartypants, where do jellies keep those vital organs? The answer is we don't.

[Captain Blobbins]

It might sound crazy, but jellies don't have a brain, a heart, blood, lungs or bones, because they don't need them. Oh. Since we're invertebrates, jellies also have no.

[Trusty]

Know what, smartypants? What don't invertebrates have? Did you say a backbone? You're right.

[Captain Blobbins]

Wow.

[Trusty]

Jellies sure keep it simple when it comes to anatomy, which, in case you don't know, is the structure of an organism.

[Captain Blobbins]

And speaking of structure, jellies are composed of three layers. An outer layer called the epidermis, an inner layer called the gastrodermis, where they digest their food, and a middle watery layer called the mesoglia that makes up the jelly like umbrella shape part of their body.

[Trusty]

Hey, smarty pants, do you know what mythological name a jelly's bell shaped body is called? Is it A, a medusa, B, a Poseidon, or C, a hydra?

[Captain Blobbins]

The answer is a medusa. In Greek mythology, Medusa was known for having hair made of snakes and her ability to turn people to stone with just a look. A jellyfish with its umbrella shaped bell and long tentacles. Kinda looks like Medusa's snake covered head.

[Trusty]

At least jellies don't turn people to stone. But you do sting.

[Captain Blobbins]

Ouch.

[Trusty]

And speaking of stings, Captain Blobbins, can you help us get to the bottom of a jellyfish legend? True or false? If you do happen to get stung by a jelly, you can ease the pain by rinsing the sting with human urine, AKA pee. Ew.

[Captain Blobbins]

Now that is a good question. Trusty smarty pants, the answer is coming.

[Trusty]

Right up after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Hey smartypants. Trusty here. What if your watch could call your parents, text your friends, play games, and still help you ace the school day? Say hi to Pinwheel, the smartwatch that's built just for kids. Whether you're walking to school or riding your bike or hanging out with friends, Pinwheel lets you stay in touch with the people that you care about and blocks everyone else. No junk, no spam, just the good stuff. You can pick your favorite color band, play fun games, and even chat with a super cool kid. Safe AI if your grown ups turn it on. And when it's time to focus, your watch knows. Thanks to custom schedules that your parents set right now you can get awesome deals on watches for back to school, plus free shipping and returns. Check it out at pinwheel.com smarted that's P-I N W H E-E-L.com smarted and gear up with the coolest watch made just for you. Who Smarted Is brought to you by Squarespace. Now, you know I'm good about creating new adventures and episodes of Whosmarted, but you don't know that I procrastinate on other stuff, like a website for one of our new projects. Oops. When the website builder Squarespace reached out about sponsoring who Smarted, I decided to test it out. And now I feel silly for putting off building that website. Squarespace's blueprint AI thing literally built me a custom website in minutes. I just told it a few details about the project and boom. It generated everything. And everything you need is is right there. I can schedule guest interviews, send email campaigns, even sell merch, all from one dashboard. Now it's your turn to stop procrastinating and start building. You can use Squarespace to launch that business site or any site that you've been dreaming about. But putting off today, there's no excuse anymore. Especially since you can head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial. And when you're ready to Launch. Launch. You can use Code smarted to save 10% on your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com smarted code smarted smarty parents Trusty here. And I have to tell you about IXL because our whole team is absolutely obsessed with it. My niece and nephew use it. My colleagues kids are on it daily. And honestly, every homeschool parent I know has become a total, total fan. Ixcel is an award winning online learning platform that covers math, language arts, science and social studies that adapts to each child's level. It fits perfectly into homeschool routines, even summertime ones. And it keeps kids motivated and confident. And IXL isn't just a sponsor. They've actually become part of our team's lives. And here's why. Instead of spending hours hunting down worksheets, IXL organizes everything by grade and topic. My 9 year old nephew works on multiplication, while my colleague's 12 year old tackles algebra. Same program, totally personalized. When kids get something wrong, IXL explains the mistake and walks them through the right approach in an easy and fun way. Plus, detailed reports show where they're crushing it. Over 15 million students use IXL. WhoSmarted listeners get 20% [e-mail] smarted with code WHOSMARTED. That's IXL.com smarted with code WHOOSMARTED. Now back to WHOSMARTED. Okay, smarty pants. Pretend you're splashing around in the ocean in pretty shallow water when suddenly you get a painful feeling in your leg. You've just been stung by a jelly and it hurts.

[Captain Blobbins]

Ouch.

[Trusty]

According to legend, one way to ease the pain of a single jelly sting is to rinse the area in pee. It could be your own or someone else's. The question is true or false? Does this actually help?

[Captain Blobbins]

The answer is false. Sorry, but that jelly myth is officially busted. According to the national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or noaa, the use of urine to treat stings has been tested and proven unhelpful. Ah.

[Trusty]

So what should you do if you're ever stung by a jelly?

[Captain Blobbins]

According to noaa, if you're ever stung by a jelly, you want to first make sure that no tentacles are stuck in your skin. If they are, remove them with tweezers. Next, flush the area with ocean water and then an acidic liquid like vinegar. And always ask your doctor about the best way to care for your sting.

[Trusty]

My rule is if I see jellies, I'm staying out of the water.

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye, that is a good rule.

[Trusty]

But what I want to know is why do jellies sting people?

[Captain Blobbins]

The same reason jellies sting anything to defend themselves.

[Trusty]

But I wasn't going to hurt it. Or them.

[Captain Blobbins]

True, but they don't know that stinging also helps jellies catch their prey. Our tentacles have tiny structures called nematocysts, which are like microscopic harpoons filled with venom. When something brushes against the jelly's tentacles, the nematussists fire and inject venom into the target. Ouch.

[Trusty]

I see. And do all jellies sting?

[Captain Blobbins]

Nope. Not all jellies sting. And some, like the moon and mushroom jellyfish, have mild stings that aren't very harmful to humans. But other jellies, like the box jellyfish and a tiny, almost invisible jelly called the Irukandji, have very powerful venom that can cause severe pain, injury, and even death.

[Trusty]

I sure hope we don't run into those jellies today.

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye, I'll keep an eye out for you. Of course. One jelly you can't miss is known as the lion's mane. It's one of the largest jellies with a body that can grow to be around 7ft or 2.1 meters in diameter, with tentacles that can grow to be over 100ft or 31 meters long.

[Trusty]

Whoa. Yikes. I think I'd stay out of the ocean forever if I saw one of those jellies swim up to me.

[Captain Blobbins]

Despite their size, a sting from a lion's mane is rarely fatal. But you're definitely better off looking and not touching. Same goes for all jellies.

[Trusty]

Good point, Captain Blubbins. Live and let live, I say. And speaking of living, is it true there is a kind of jelly that can live forever?

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye. You be talking about the immortal jellyfish, which, of course is a misnomer.

[Trusty]

So what do you think, smarty pants? True or false? An immortal jelly can live forever.

[Captain Blobbins]

The answer is true. Ish.

[Trusty]

Huh?

[Captain Blobbins]

Unlike other jellies, the immortal jellyfish can reverse its aging through a process called transdifferentiation. Under certain conditions, such as if it's injured, it can transform from its adult Medusa form into a juvenile or polyp form.

[Trusty]

Essentially, they can grow younger and become jelly kids again.

[Captain Blobbins]

Aye. And it seems immortal jellyfish can potentially live forever through regenerating their cells. Although they can still be killed by predators and disease. Scientists are fascinated to understand immortal jellyfish because it may help them better understand aging in humans. Wow.

[Trusty]

Who knew sea jellies not only help the oceans, but could also unlock the mysteries of human aging? Kind of like a gelatinous fountain of youth. Well, thanks for the tour, Captain Blabbins. I'd shake your tentacle, but I don't want to get stung.

[Captain Blobbins]

No worries. Let's head back up and get some lunch.

[Trusty]

Oh, my tummy. And I would be immortally grateful. A special shout out to Faye in Zamora, Mexico. They wrote to tell us she loves the show because even though it isn't easy for her to learn new things, she learns a lot from Whosmarted because we make learning fun. Aw, we are so happy to hear that, Faye. Keep smarting, smarty pants. This episode, Jellyfish was written by the immortal Leanne French and voiced by Matteo Portuguese. Man of War parody Adam Box within a Box Davis and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Flower Hat Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Lion's Mane Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Cwasp Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.

[Captain Blobbins]

Who's Smarted.