Species · GBIF taxon 2264689
Box Jellyfish
Chironex fleckeriAlso known as Australian Box Jelly, Sea Wasp, Flecker's Box Jellyfish
Australian box jellyfish are formidable marine predators equipped with up to sixty trailing tentacles that can stretch three meters long. Unlike most jellyfish, they are active swimmers that use a sophisticated set of twenty-four eyes to navigate coastal waters and hunt prey. Their translucent, pale blue bells make them nearly invisible in the water, posing a silent hazard to swimmers.
VenomousMarineActive Hunter
Licensed referenceGuido Gautsch, Melbourne, Australia / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Small fish, prawns, and shrimp
- family
- Chirodropidae
- threats
- Climate change, coastal development, and marine pollution
- life Span
- Under 1 year
NE
Possesses highly lethal venom; avoid swimming in known habitats during stinger season.
Venom contains potent cardiotoxins and dermatonecrotic agents that can cause cardiac arrest and death within minutes.
Never touch a washed-up specimen, and immediately flood any sting with vinegar while calling emergency services.- Heed Warning Signs: Never enter the water when local beaches are closed for stinger season.
- Wear Protective Gear: Use full-body lycra stinger suits to prevent tentacles from contacting skin.
- Carry Vinegar: Keep household vinegar on hand to douse stings and neutralize unactivated nematocysts.