The venomous sea creatures in this section are listed in alphabetical order. Refer to the Bites and stings section of this module for more detailed information about their treatment (heat, cold, vinegar and PIT).
You may also refer to the latest ARC Guidelines for Envenomation to learn more.
Bluebottle (Physalia physalis)
Distribution
Australia-wide and in most warm oceans worldwide
Seasonal note
Frequently present in the summer months on the eastern coast of Australia, and during autumn and winter in southern Western Australia.
Signs and symptoms
- Pain and burning sensation
- Single raised white welt with a prominent ‘beading’ effect
- Occasionally, pain on breathing, back pain, sweating, anxiety and nausea may develop
Management
Blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena)
Distribution
Widespread around Australia
Signs and symptoms
- Numbness of lips and tongue
- Conscious and able to hear although fully paralysed and unable to breathe without assistance
- Progressive weakness of the muscles leading to breathing difficulties and potentially respiratory failure as a result
- Visible but painless bite
Management
- Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- Send for help, additional resources (first aid kit and AED) and request an ambulance
- Provide CPR
- Apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.
- Pressure immobilisation technique (PIT)
Note
- An adult’s body is around 5 cm long with arms up to 10 cm.
- Blue-ringed octopuses present their iridescent blue markings when they are agitated or hunting.
- Collectively there are around 10 species known as blue-ringed octopuses.
- They are commonly found in shallow reefs and tide pools.
- Spontaneous breathing can return after 2–13 hours of external ventilation support.
Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri)
Distribution
Tropical Australian waters
Seasonal note
Stinger peak season is October to May
Signs and symptoms
- Adherent tentacles often still present, especially if severely stung
- Instant and severe burning skin pain, with what look like whip or burn marks on the skin
- Person may rapidly lose consciousness and stop breathing
Management
- Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- Send for help, additional resources (vinegar and AED) and request an ambulance
- Provide CPR
- Apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.
- Vinegar
Cone shell (genus Conus)
Distribution
Tropical Australian waters
Signs and symptoms
- Disturbed vision, speech and hearing
- Numbness of lips and tongue
- Pain, swelling or a spot of blood at the bite
- Progressive weakness of the muscles leading to breathing difficulties and potentially respiratory failure as a result
Management
- Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- Send for help, additional resources (first aid kit and AED) and request an ambulance
- Provide CPR
- Apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.
- Pressure immobilisation technique (PIT)
Note
- Signs and symptoms may begin within minutes or take days to appear.
- Cone shells are usually found within tropical coral reefs and associated with sandy bottoms and inter-tidal environments.
Fire jelly (Morbakka fenneri)
Distribution
Northern Australian waters; reaches as far south as Sydney at times
Signs and symptoms
- Burning, itchy pain at sting site
- Wide, raised pink welts surrounded by red skin flare
- Occasionally Irukandji-type symptoms may arise
Management
Hair jellyfish (Cyanea barkeri)
Distribution
Worldwide
Signs and symptoms
- Minor skin pain, although may sometimes be more severe
- Red zigzagged lines or irregular raised white welts surrounded by red flare
Management
Irukandji (Carukia barnesi)
Distribution
Tropical Australian waters
Seasonal note
Stinger peak season is October to May
Signs and symptoms
- Initial minor sting that may show goose pimples, localised sweating or itching feeling
- After a delay of 5–40 minutes (usually 25–30 minutes), the person may experience
- anxiety
- backache
- headache
- muscle cramps
- nausea
- sometimes a red rash around the affected area
Management
- Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- Send for help, additional resources (vinegar and AED) and request an ambulance
- Provide CPR
- Apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally
- Vinegar
Jelly blubber (Catostylus mosaicus)
Distribution
Intertidal estuaries and coastal waters in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria
Signs and symptoms
- Minor skin irritation only
Management
Jimble (Carybdea rastoni)
Distribution
Coastal waters, estuaries and oceans near Western Australia to Southern Queensland
Signs and symptoms
- Thin, raised white welts surrounded by bright red flare
- The welts are itchy, but there is usually little skin pain
- Occasionally there may be local skin pain
Management
Sea snake (family Hydrophiidae)
Distribution
Mainly tropical Australian waters
Signs and symptoms
A relatively painless bite, possibly followed by drowsiness, vomiting, visual disturbances, weakness, muscle pain, breathing difficulties
Management
- Primary assessment (follow DRSABCD):
- Send for help, additional resources (first aid kit and AED) and request an ambulance
- Provide CPR
- Apply an AED and follow its prompts if the person is unconscious and not breathing normally.
- Pressure immobilisation technique (PIT)
Note
Venom is not always injected when sea snakes bite, therefore symptoms may not develop.
Sea urchin (class Echinoidea)
Distribution
All oceans
Signs and symptoms
- Painful puncture wound
- Spines broken off in wound
Management
- Heat
- Remove protruding spine with tweezers.
- Refer to medical practitioner if spines under skin.
Stingray (family Dasyatidae)
Distribution
All oceans
Signs and symptoms
- Bleeding
- Cuts or a penetrating injury—the barb may break off and remain in the wound
- Severe local pain from puncture wound, which may get worse with time
Management
- Heat
- Send for help, additional resources (first aid kit, hot water and AED) and request an ambulance.
Note
- Treat for bleeding with a protruding object if required.
- The barb is removed surgically and a tetanus shot given by medical practitioners in a hospital setting.
Stonefish (including bullrout) (genus Synanceja)
Distribution
- Tropical Australian seawater (stonefish)
- Fresh water (bullrout)
Signs and symptoms
- Grey/blue discoloration on skin
- Immediate severe localised pain
- Irrational behaviour or panic may occur
Management