OSKALOOSA, Iowa — A routine fishing trip led to an extraordinary scientific discovery when Oskaloosa High School freshman Oscar Schiferl spotted rare freshwater jellyfish at Russell Wildlife Area over the weekend.
“I was fishing in between a tree that fell to see if I could catch a bass,” Schiferl said. “I saw the jellyfish swimming in the water, and my dad didn’t believe me at first, so I caught one to show him. He was like, ‘That’s actually a jellyfish.’”
Schiferl’s discovery is a remarkable one. Freshwater jellyfish, known scientifically as Craspedacusta sowerbii, are native to Asia and rarely found in Iowa waters. Kim Bogenschutz, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, confirmed this is only the second sighting in the state this fall.
“This is the second sighting we’ve had just in the past week,” Bogenschutz said. “One was at a pond near Lake Panorama in Guthrie County. Even with these recent sightings, it’s still a cool and unusual find.”
The young angler’s excitement grew as he found more jellyfish in the pond.
“I saw a whole lot more of them out there,” Schiferl said. “I caught about 20, but my dad wouldn’t let me keep more than two.”
Schifer’s discovery sparked excitement at Oskaloosa High School, where he brought one of the jellyfish to school in a mason jar to share with his friends and teachers. “I knew no one would believe me unless they saw it,” he explained.
His science teacher, Stephanie Campbell, was initially skeptical. “At first, I thought he was joking,” Campbell said. “I thought he might have grabbed it from an aquarium. But when he told me he found it at Russell Wildlife, I knew we needed to take it seriously.”
The discovery became a teaching moment for students and faculty alike. “I asked other teachers if they had ever heard of freshwater jellyfish, and none of us had,” Campbell said. “We called the Wildlife Center right away, and they confirmed that they’d been notified about a jellyfish sighting in Iowa just last week.”
The appearance of freshwater jellyfish in Russell Wildlife raises important ecological questions. While these jellyfish are not dangerous to humans—they are too small to sting—Bogenschutz emphasized the importance of monitoring non-native species.
“These jellyfish probably arrived here unintentionally, likely through aquariums or aquatic plants,” Bogenschutz said. “While they don’t seem to have invasive qualities or pose a major threat to native species, it’s crucial to prevent further spread.”
She also stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership and conservation efforts. “The message is simple: don’t dump aquariums into lakes or ponds. Even small actions like that can introduce species that don’t belong and disrupt ecosystems.”
Though small, these jellyfish—often called peach blossom jellyfish—feed on plankton, a food source vital to many fish and aquatic organisms. However, because their appearance is sporadic and they don’t seem to outcompete native species, they are not considered an immediate environmental threat.
Schiferl’s teachers praised his curiosity and quick action. “What’s so cool about this is that it was science in action, happening right here in our community,” Campbell said. “Oscar recognized something rare and took the initiative to bring it to us so we could investigate.”
The discovery has inspired other students to take an interest in local wildlife. “The students thought it was pretty cool,” Campbell said. “Now, they’re saying they’re going to head out to Russell Wildlife to see if they can find some jellyfish, too.”
As for Schiferl, he remains modest about the attention his discovery has garnered. “I don’t really need the fame or anything,” he said with a laugh. “I just thought it was cool and wanted to show people.”
With colder weather approaching and frost warnings in effect, Bogenschutz noted the jellyfish may not be around for long. “These jellyfish are sensitive to temperature changes,” she explained. “As the water cools, they’ll likely disappear back into their resting stages. But it’s moments like these, when students find something unexpected, that remind us how important it is to stay curious and observant.”
Bogenschutz emphasized the importance of young people like Oscar engaging with Iowa’s natural resources. “If Oscar is interested in things like this, we need more people working on invasive and non-native species and helping us protect Iowa’s natural resources," she said. “I hope that Oscar is excited about water and the things that live in there and would consider a career in science.”
For now, Schiferl’s discovery is a testament to curiosity and observation. His quick thinking revealed a rare occurrence and helped raise awareness about invasive species and the importance of protecting local ecosystems.
“I’m just glad I found them,” Schiferl said. “It’s not every day you catch jellyfish in Iowa.”