Basics :: Spiders :: Snakes :: Marine :: Others

AUSTRALIAN VENOMOUS MARINE CREATURES

Box Jellyfish :: Irukandji :: Sea Snake :: Stonefish :: Blue Ringed Octopus

Introduction

Australia lays claim to some of the most spectacular beach coastline in the world. The crystal clear tropical waters also however provide refuge to a veritable collection of venomous marine creatures. Deadly jellyfish, stone fish, cone shells, sting rays and octopus, share the ocean with venomous sea snakes as well as predator sharks and saltwater crocodiles. Feel like a swim?

Jellyfish
There are many species of jellyfish which can affect humans. Although the Australian Box Jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri , is the only proven lethal species, there are several other species which can cause severe reactions with the potential to be fatal.

All jellyfish sting using individual stinging cells (nematocysts).The stinging apparatus consists of a "harpoon" on a thread coiled inside the stinging cell, and attached to a reservoir containing venom. On contact with the victim, the stinging cell discharges its harpoon into the skin and injects venom. Each tentacle may be covered with millions of stinging cells, resulting in a large amount of venom being injected over a wide area in a major jellyfish sting. Some of this venom may directly enter blood vessels, so systemic envenoming can be very rapid.

Much less commonly, the venom may cause "allergic" type reactions in some people. Pain is not a universal diagnostic feature of all jellyfish envenoming, though it is the most common symptom

Other Fish
A number of fish commonly found in Australian waters (Stonefish, Stingray etc) can deliver toxic venom. Although great variation amongst them, they all share one common theme in having one or more venomous spines and as well as delivering a toxic venom, also produce significant mechanical injury from the sharp (usually dorsal) spine.

Cone Fish / Snails
More than 70 species of cone snails are found in the warmer waters of Australia, several of which are known to be dangerous to humans. They are attractive shells, and may be picked up by children or visitors to the reef who may be unaware of the danger. Cone snails live in shallow reef waters and kill their prey with venom which they inject via a small harpoon-like tooth.

First Aid

Following any marine envenomation General First Aid principles should be applied. The victim should be removed immediately from the water

The Pressure Immobilisation technique used for Australian land snakes has been proven useful for envenomation from the Blue Ringed Octopus and Sea snake. It is thought however to potentiate the venomous effects of the Box Jellyfish.

Immersion in hot (but not scalding) water has proven to be beneficial for Stonefish stings.

Medical assistance should be sought immediately and wherever possible the patient should be transported to the location of medical care by vehicle or stretcher.