Here are the list of the deadliest jellyfish in the world:
1. Chironex Fleckeri (Sea Wasp)
Chironex fleckeri, commonly known as a sea wasp, is one of the most deadliest jellyfish species not just because of its lethal poison. This large box jellyfish is nearly invisible, which makes them very hard to spot. They also prefer to hunt during the day and in shallow waters. This makes them more likely to come into contact with swimmers enjoying the beach.
2. Chiropsalmus Quadrigatus
This species of box jellyfish is a smaller version of the Chironex fleckeri. Despite its diminutive size, this jellyfish packs quite a wallop. They live in the waters of the Indo-Pacific and the Western Atlantic Oceans. They’re called “habu” in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, where encounters between people and this species occur annually.
3. Irukandji
The tiny Irukandji is another jellyfish that does not play around when it comes to its venomous sting. Once only in Australian waters, recent sightings have been in Florida, Japan, Thailand, and even in the British Isles—which has led to growing concern over the possible global spread of this fatally poisonous jellyfish.
4. Morbakka Fenneri
Morbakka fenneri, known as the fire jellyfish for its potent sting, lives in the calm waterways and marinas off the coast of Queensland. They prefer the warmer waters of the north. It is another species of box jellyfish and is a bit larger than the other jellyfish on this list. It measures roughly four inches in length with a two-inch bell diameter and a solid body with bright pink, wart-like protrusions on the top.
5. Alatina Alata
Another type of box jellyfish that is also commonly referred to as a sea wasp is the Alatina alata. Formerly known as Carybdea alata, it is known for swarming off the coasts and bay areas of Hawaii and other parts of the Pacific, as well as along the beaches of Pakistan in the Arabian Sea.
Resources
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/box-jellyfish
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irukandji_jellyfish#:~:text=Irukandji%20jellyfish’s%20stings%20are%20so,times%20stronger%20than%20a%20tarantula’s%22.
- https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/biological/invertebrates/phylum-cnidaria/weird-science-deadly-box-jellyfish
