Blue bottle jellyfish - how dangerous are they?While known as the Blue Bottle jellyfish in Australia, in other parts of the world they are called the much more ominous sounding ‘Man-o-war’. Biologists do not consider them to be 'true' jellyfish, but they are classified as a hydrozoid. These animals are in fact a colonial organism, rather than individual jellyfish. They are seen floating on the surface of the water like a tiny blue bag. Because of their blue tinge and the fact that they float atop the surface of the water, blue bottle jellyfish are often more noticeable than many other of the ‘true’ jellyfish. What should I do if stung by a blue bottle jelly fish?'Blue Bottles' are not generally considered fatal, however, their stings can be very painful, especially to children. The stings often leave large welts on the skin. The affected areas should be treated with ice packs. Blue Bottles are commonly seen washed up on shore. Even though they may be dead, it is wise to leave these alone, as the stinging cells can still discharge upon contact.
"Ocean Surfaces of Australasia"
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