Identification guide and stinging

treatment for jellyfish and other

gelatinous organisms COTYLORHIZA

PELAGIA PELAGIA
PELAGIA

RHIZOSTOMA RHIZOSTOMA
RHIZOSTOMA

A. Gennari 2013 Pelagia

A. Gennari
A. Gennari
20132013 Rhizostoma Cotylorhiza Aurelia sp. Chrysaora
noctiluca pulmo tuberculata hysoscella
A. Gennari 2013 A. Gennari
A. Gennari
2013 2013

A. Gennari 2013

AEQUOREA AEQUOREA
AEQUOREA

RHIZOSTOMA LUTEUM RHIZOSTOMA LUTEUM

RHIZOSTOMA LUTEUM

Discomedusa Rhizostoma Carybdea Aequorea Ve l e l l a Porpita

A. Gennari 2013 A. Gennari 2013 A. Gennari 2013

A. Gennari 2013 A. Gennari

A. Gennari 2013 2013

lobata luteum marsupialis forskalea velella porpita

PHYSALIA

Olindias, Gonionemus, Physalia Other Invasive Other jellyfish of the

Pandea physalis gelatinous species Mediterranean
A. Gennari 2013
 Technical card of Jellyfish
Cnidarians are a group of animals that include
jellyfish and other stinging gelatinous organisms,
which have specific cells called cnidocists that
are like microsyringes that inject toxic substan-
ces used for feeding and defence. Cnidocists are
distributed over the whole body of the jellyfish,
but are concentrated in the tentacles. The level of
toxicity for humans is different depending on the
General diagram
jellyfish species. The majority of accidental con- of a jellyfish
tacts between humans and jellyfish occur during
bathing or with dead animals or with their tenta- Umbrella Ectoderm
cles in the beach. The toxic capacity remains for a
Mesoglea
long time after the jellyfish dies. Stomach
Endoderm
In this guide, jellyfish are classified according to
the species-specific stinging capacity in the Marginal
Manubrium
following categories: tentacles

Oral arms or
tentacles
HIGH STINGING

STINGING

MILD STINGING

HARMLESS

1
 Jellyfish Life Cycle
1

1 Adults reproduce 6
sexually with external
fertilisation

2 The planula larvae

swims freely for a short
time

3 The planula fix on a 2

substrate and transform
into a polyp

4 The polyp undergoes

the strobilation process
3
5
4
5 Dividing itself in seg-
ments and producing
ephyras Jellyfish present different life cycles depending on the species.
The one presented in this guide is the most common for the
6 Each ephyra or juve-
Spanish Mediterranean coastal jellyfish, including Aurelia sp.,
nile jellyfish swims freely
until it becomes a new R. pulmo, C. tuberculata, C. hysoscella, R. luteum,
adult jellyfish D. lobata and P. punctata.
2
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Pelagia noctiluca
Common name: Mauve stinger Umbrella diameter up to 20 cm

Pink-red colour. Hemispheric umbrella with 4 thick oral arms and HIGH STINGING
8 marginal tentacles (up to 2 m length). The surface of the
umbrella is covered with brownish warts. Juveniles may be light VERY FREQUENT
brown colour instead of pink. All-year round
3
 PELAGIA

Pelagia noctiluca
This species is considered one of the most abundant and
important in the western Mediterranean.
It is an oceanic species and its life cycle is completely
pelagic (without a polyp stage). Its presence in coastal
waters relies on environmental and climatological condi- A. Gennari 2013

tions. It is very frequent during spring and summer sea-

A. Gennari 2013

sons, even though it can be present during the whole year.

It has bioluminescence and it is often accompanied by
juvenile fishes from the Carangidae family.

4
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Rhizostoma pulmo
Common name: Barrel jellyfish Umbrella diameter up to 40 cm

Bell-shaped umbrella, white-bluish colour with a violet border. STINGING

No marginal tentacles and 8 white-bluish and thick oral arms,
fused together with no branching. VERY FREQUENT
Spring - Summer - Autumn
5
 It is one of the biggest jellyfish along
the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The
small medusae are produced in spring
and the larger adults are more evi-

Rhizostoma pulmo
dent in summer and at the beginning
of autumn. It is considered a coastal
species, generally present at or near
the surface. It is usually accompanied
by crabs and juveniles fishes from the
Carangidae family.
RHIZOSTOMA

© S. PIRAINO

A. Gennari 2013
6
© A. OLARIAGA

A. Gennari 2013
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Cotylorhiza tuberculata
Common name: Fried egg jellyfish Umbrella diameter up to 35 cm

Flattened umbrella, brown-yellowish, with a large central pro- MILD STINGING

tuberance in dark orange colour. Without marginal tentacles,
8 oral arms with 3 appendages at the end, button-shaped and VERY FREQUENT
white or blue in colour. End of summer - Autumn
7
 COTYLORHIZA

Cotylorhiza tuberculata
It is an endemic species of the
Mediterranean, coastal and with
preference for warmer waters.
The adults are more abundant at
the end of the summer and begin-
ning of autumn. It is often accom-
panied by juvenile fishes from the A. Gennari 2013

Carangidae family.
A. Gennari 2013
A. Gennari 2013

8
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Aurelia sp.
Common name: Moon jellyfish Umbrella diameter up to 25 cm

Plate-shaped umbrella. Transparent colour. Many short mar- MILD STINGING

ginal tentacles and 4 long oral arms. Four horseshoe-shaped
reproductive organs purple-violet in colour. FREQUENT
Spring- Summer
9
 Cosmopolitan species present in all the
world’s oceans. The frequency of this species
in the Spanish Mediterranean had decreased
in recent years. It is more frequent at the end

Aurelia sp.
of spring. It is a coastal species and it may be
found even in estuaries and ports.

10
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Chrysaora hysoscella
Common name: Compass jellyfish Umbrella diameter up to 30 cm

White-yellowish umbrella, with 16 brown bands on the HIGH STINGING

surface. It has 4 long oral arms and 24 long, thin
marginal tentacles. LOW FREQUENCY
Spring
11
 Chrysaora hysoscella
It is a pelagic rather big species. It may be quite abundant in some areas
of the Spanish Mediterranean although it rarely forms swarms. It is
commonly frequent in spring. It is often accompanied by juvenile fishes
from the Carangidae family.
12
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Discomedusa lobata
Common name: Discomedusa Umbrella diameter up to 15 cm

Flattened umbrella, transparent and with whitish colour go- MILD STINGING
nads. It has 4 oral arms and 24 thin marginal tentacles. It is
a rare species in the Mediterranean, but in 2013 it showed LOW FREQUENCY
important abundances in some coastal areas. Spring - Summer
13
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Rhizostoma luteum
Common name: does not have
RHIZOSTOMA LUTEUM
Umbrella diameter up to 70 cm
Hemispheric umbrella without the
characteristic violet border of the species
R. pulmo. No marginal tentacles and 8 oral
arms with a grey-black colouring in the
distal part, that may extend even more than
the individual’s length. It may observed
alone or forming swarms.
In the Mediterranean it had not been
recorded since 1827, but in 2012 new
records of this species were reported on the
Spanish Mediterranean coast.

STINGING

VERY RARE
A. Gennari 2013 Spring - Summer - Autumn
14
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Carybdea marsupialis
Common name: Box jellyfish Umbrella up to 5 cm

Cube-shaped umbrella with 4 long tentacles. Transparent bluish HIGH STINGING

or whitish colour. Inhabit very shallow waters.
FREQUENT
Summer - Autumn
15
 Carybdea marsupialis
C. marsupialis is a box jellyfish, but its venom is not lethal. The
preferred environment for this species seems to be the sandy
substrate, and it swims over the bottom during the day moving
to the surface during the night. Its presence in certain areas of
the Spanish Mediterranean coast is very abundant.

© FERDINANDO BOERO
16
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Aequorea forskalea
Common name: Crystal jelly Umbrella diameter up to 25 cm

Plate-shaped umbrella with a thicker centre. The umbrella is MILD STINGING

transparent with blue radial canals. Numerous, thin marginal
tentacles and no oral arms. FREQUENT
Spring
17
 Aequorea forskalea
This species inhabits temperate to tropical waters, in
coastal and littoral areas, occuring even occasionally in A. Gennari 2013
the open sea. It is a frequent species in the Spanish
Mediterranean, being more common in spring and A. Gennari 2013

forming huge occasional swarms. It has bioluminescence

and it is often accompanied by juvenile fishes from the
Carangidae family.

18
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Velella velella
Common name: Purple sailor Disc diameter up to 8 cm

Blue oval disc with a small sail. It is a hydromedusa which life MILD STINGING
cycle phase usually obser ved is a floating polyp colony located
underneath the skirt in form of tentacles. When alive, the edge FREQUENT
is covered with a soft tissue. End of winter - Spring
19
 Velella velella
It is a very frequent species in the Spanish
Mediterranean especially during spring. It may be
present in huge swarms reaching even several
kilometres. The polyps of the colony produce small
jellyfish that go deep in the sea where they reproduce
sexually and produce small lar vae that go to the
surface and form new floating colonies.

20
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Porpita porpita
Common name: Blue button jelly Disc diameter up to 5 cm
PORPITA

A. Gennari 2013

Small hydromedusa of intense blue colour. Colonial organism MILD STINGING

that lives at the surface of the open sea, but may be found in
high number in coastal areas. It is seen occasionally in the VERY RARE
Mediterranean Sea. Spring
21
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Olindias phosphorica
Common name: Cigar jellyfish Umbrella diameter up to 8 cm

Transparent hydromedusa with 4 radial opaque white stripes. HIGH STINGING

The umbrella is surrounded by blue or dark red small tentacles.
In the Spanish Mediterranean coast no large swarms are LOW FREQUENCY
usually obser ved, but it may be very abundant locally. Summer - Autumn
22
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Gonionemus vertens
Common name: Orange striped jellyfish Umbrella diameter 2 - 4 cm

Transparent umbrella with orange gonads. Numerous tentacles, HIGH STINGING

up to 90, with suckers at the ends; thus, it is frequent to find it
attached to sea algae. It is s common species in the FREQUENT
Mediterranean. Spring - Summer
23
 Je llyf ish that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Pandea conica
Common name: does not have Length up to 6 cm

Hydromedusa with large tentacles used to capture gelatinous MILD STINGING

prey. The reddish gonads may be seen through the umbrella. It is
common i surface waters in spring. There are no stinging records FREQUENT
known for this species. Spring
24
 O ther ge lat inous organisms
that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t
Physalia physalis
Common name: Portuguese man-of-war Floating part 30 cm long-10 cm wide

It is a floating colony with a gas-filled float. Opaque violet colour HIGH STINGING
with a sail at the top. The immersed part has a long, thin, blue
tentacles that may reach up to 20 m length. Native from the LOW FREQUENCY
Atlantic Ocean. Spring
25
 O the r ge lat inous organisms
that may occur in the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t LEUCOTHEA

Salps

Leuckotea multicornis
Ctenophore
A. Gennari 2013
A. Gennari 2013

Gelatinous planktonic tunicates.

Complex life cycle with solitary

Siphonophore
phases alternated with colonial

Forskalia sp.
phases. They form chains that
may reach 7 or more metres
length.

HARMLESS

26
 Invasi ve spe cie s pre se nt on the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Mnemiopsis leidyi
Common name: Glow ball or sea walnut Length up to 12 cm

© D. ANGEL

Invasive ctenophore native to the eastern Atlantic. HARMLESS

Bulb shape. Transparent. Adults have 8 ciliated lines and no
tentacles. Organisms with iridescence and bioluminescence. FREQUENT
All-year round
27
 This invasive species is a ctenophore,
thus it doesn’t have cnidocists (stinging
cells) and it is harmless to humans, but

Mnemiopsis leidyi
very detrimental for marine invaded
The ctenophore Beroe
ecosystems.
ovata, native from the MNEMIOPSIS

eastern Atlantic, is the

specific natural
predator of M. leidyi.
It is an invasive species
that occurs in some
areas of the
Mediterranean.

A. Gennari 2013
A. Gennari 2013
Larva de M. leidyi
28
 Invasi ve spe cie s pre se nt on the
Spanish Me di te r rane an coas t

Phyllorhiza punctata
Common name: Australian spotted jelly Umbrella diameter up to 70 cm

© M. MARAMBIO

Invasive jellyfish native from the Indo-Pacific. MILD STINGING

Hemispheric umbrella with white crystalline spots uniformly
distributed. No marginal tentacles and 8 thick oral arms with LOW FREQUENCY
14 transparent appendages at the end. Spring - Summer - Autumn
29
 Phyllorhiza punctata
This invasive species reached the Mediterranean
through the Suez Canal and expanded to the
whole basin. In the year 2010 was first descri-
bed in the south of the Catalan coast in the Ebro
Delta. It is a mild stinging jellyfish thus, it does
not represent a problem to humans but it does
for the marine ecosystems.
30
 Je llyf ish that may occur in o the r
place s in the Me di te r rane an
RHOPILEMA

Pelagia benovici Drymonema dalmatinum Rhopilema nomadica

New species. Recently It is the biggest Introduced species. It is

(2014) described in the Mediterranean jellyfish and native from the Indo-Pacific.
Mediterranean. Currently, the least known of all. It has It is an established species in
no records for the Spanish low frequency. the eastern Mediterranean
A. Gennari 2013

Mediterranean coast. and dominates the pelagic

ecosystems.
HIGH STINGING HIGH STINGING HIGH STINGING
31
 Je llyf ish that may occur in o the r
place s in the Me di te r rane an

Cassiopea andromeda
CASSIOPEA Catostylus tagi Marivagia stellata
MARIVAGIA

Introduced species in the Introduced species that Introduced species in the

A. Gennari 2013

Mediterranean. Native from entered the Mediterranean Mediterranean. Native from

A. Gennari 2013

the Indo-Pacific. Currently it through the Gibraltar Strait. the Indo-Pacific. Usually
is present on some areas of Usually observed alone, no observed alone, no swarms.
the eastern Mediterranean. swarms.

MILD STINGING MILD STINGING MILD STINGING

32
 Je llyf ish s t ing t re atme nt
re comme ndat ions

Some jellyfish species may sting humans, determining local reactions and occasional
systemic effects. Treatment of jellyfish envenomation aims to attenuate venom effects, prevent
further envenomation from residual jellyfish pieces, and keep in check occasional systemic
reactions, including shock.

Depending on the jellyfish species, there is evidence and consensus on oral/topical

analgesics, hot water and ice packs as effective painkillers. For a few species (see below), a short
application of domestic vinegar may prevent further discharge of unfired jellyfish stinging cells left
on the skin.

Most treatment approaches are presently founded on relatively weak evidence and further
research is strongly recommended. Dissemination of appropriate treatment modalities is
deployed in the framework of MED-JELLYRISK Project to better inform and educate all the
personnel working at beach and those at risk.

According to the current medical literature about jellyfish sting treatments, in the present
guide a synthesis is recommended for the most relevant species of the Spanish Mediterranean
coast and all procedures with no consensus are excluded.

33
 Imme diate act ion pro tocol
in case of je llyf ish s t ing
A decision tree is presented next in order to facilitate
the protocol implementation

If you have been stung by a jellyfish,

do you recognize the species that caused the sting?

NO YES

Follow the instructions of the

O. phosphorica
C. marsupialis
C. hysoscella

P. physalis
P. noctiluca

R. pulmo
GENERAL JELLYFISH
STINGING PROTOCOL
(page. 35) Follow the Follow the Follow the Follow the
instructions instructions instructions instructions
of the of the of the of the
GENERAL PROTOCOL PROTOCOL PROTOCOL
PROTOCOL CASE 1 CASE 2 CASE 3
(page. 35) (page. 36) (page. 37) (page. 38)
34
 Ge ne ral pro tocol: St inging produce d by
P. noct iluca , R . pulmo , C. hysosce lla
and by unre cognize d spe cie s
WARNING: DO NOT APPLY FRESHWATER, NO VINEGAR, NO PRESSURE BANDAGE, NO AMMONIA, NO
ALCOHOL. Seek immediate medical attention if shock or breathing difficulties occur.

1) CAREFULLY WASH WITH SEAWATER, DO NOT RUB

2) IF AVAILABLE, APPLY FOR FIVE MINUTES A BAKING SODA SLURRY (50%

commercial baking soda; 50% seawater) to prevent further envenomation from
attached tentacles

3) USE TWEEZERS, GLOVES OR A PLASTIC CARD TO REMOVE RESIDUALS OF

TENTACLES

4) APPLY ICE PACKS (wrapped in a cloth or thin towel, not directly on the skin) for
5-15 minutes - Warn victim that ice pack may be uncomfortable at first!

5) REASSESS PAIN AND REAPPLY ICE PACKS IF NECCESSARY

6) IF PAIN PERSISTS, CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIO-

NALS - Ask for analgesic + hydrocortisone preparations (e.g. lidocaine 3-4% +
hydrocortisone).
35
 Pro tocol case 1: St inging produce d by
Car ybde a marsupialis
WARNING:
DO NOT APPLY FRESHWATER, NO PRESSURE BANDAGE, NO AMMONÍA, NO ALCOHOL.
Seek immediate medical attention if shock or breathing difficulties occur.

1) CAREFULLY WASH WITH SEAWATER, DO NOT RUB

2) WASH WITH COMMERCIAL VINEGAR

3) USE TWEEZERS, GLOVES OR A PLASTIC CARD TO REMOVE RESIDUALS OF

TENTACLES

4) APPLY HOT PACKS OR HOT WATER IMMERSION (40-45º) for 5-15 minutes.

5) REASSESS PAIN AND REAPPLY HOT PACKS IF NECCESSARY

6) IF PAIN PERSISTS, CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIO-

NALS - Ask for analgesic + hydrocortisone preparations (e.g. lidocaine 3-4% +
hydrocortisone).

36
 Pro tocol case 2: St inging produce d by
Olindias phosphorica
WARNING:
DO NOT APPLY FRESHWATER, NO PRESSURE BANDAGE, NO AMMONÍA, NO ALCOHOL.
Seek immediate medical attention if shock or breathing difficulties occur.

1) WASH WITH COMMERCIAL VINEGAR (4-6% acetic acid) - OTHERWISE, WASH

WITH SEAWATER - DO NOT RUB

2) USE TWEEZERS, GLOVES OR A PLASTIC CARD TO REMOVE RESIDUALS OF

TENTACLES

3) APPLY ICE PACKS (wrapped in a cloth or thin towel, not directly on the skin) for
5-15 minutes - Warn victim that ice pack may be uncomfortable at first!

4) REASSESS PAIN AND REAPPLY ICE PACKS IF NECCESSARY

5) IF PAIN PERSISTS, CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIO-

NALS - Ask for analgesic + hydrocortisone preparations (e.g. lidocaine 3-4% +
hydrocortisone).

37
 Pro tocol case 3: St inging produce d by
Physalia physalis
WARNING:
DO NOT APPLY FRESHWATER, NO PRESSURE BANDAGE, NO AMMONÍA, NO ALCOHOL.
Seek immediate medical attention if shock or breathing difficulties occur.

1) CAREFULLY WASH WITH SEAWATER, DO NOT RUB

2) USE TWEEZERS, GLOVES OR A PLASTIC CARD TO REMOVE RESIDUALS OF

TENTACLES

3) APPLY HOT PACKS OR HOT WATER IMMERSION (40-45º) for 10-20 minutes.

4) REASSESS PAIN AND REAPPLY HOT PACKS IF NECCESSARY

5) IF PAIN PERSISTS, CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIO-

NALS - Ask for analgesic + hydrocortisone preparations (e.g. lidocaine 3-4% +
hydrocortisone).

38
 Characteristics of the sting produced by the
different species of jellyfish and other cnidarians

Pelagia The stinging cells have a very active venom that produces a burning sensation, inten-
noctiluca se pain, inflammation and redness. The sting produces hives and edema, in addition to
vesicles and scabs that may appear and remain. Other symptoms, although rare, may
be nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and respiratory difficulty.

Rhizostoma The sting may be painful, in general producing a light burning sensation and intense
pulmo irritation. Even when the contact with jelly pieces or tentacles in the water does not
produce important dermatologic symptoms, this species produces a mucus that con-
tains stinging cells.

Chrysaora The effect of the toxin is similar to that of P. noctiluca producing similar reactions in
hysoscella the skin after contact.

Olindias After the sting of this species, characteristic red zig-zag lines appear on the skin. It
phosphorica produces immediately intense pain.

39
 Characteristics of the sting produced by the
different species of jellyfish and other cnidarians

Carybdea The stinging of this species is very painful, but the effects last a short time. Usually
marsupialis red vesicles appear on the skin, and in some exceptional cases muscular cramps, vomi-
ting, fatigue and anxiety may be observed.

Physalia The stinging cells have a strong venom with neurotoxic, cytotoxic and cardiotoxic pro-
physalis perties. The contact may produce burning and intense pain, and in some cases systemic
reactions. In the contact area, a line of oval white vesicles in the centre with a red
edge usually appears. Some general effects, although rare, include trembling, diarr-
hoea, vomiting and convulsions.

Cotylorhiza The irritating capacity of this species is limited, in part because of their short tenta-
tuberculata cles. If contact occurs, the effects are minor and include skin irritation and stinging.

40
 Action protocol when jellyfish
are present at the beach

Species Abundance Time Recommended

action
Physalia physalis 2 or more individuals Bathing prohibition and
remove

Pelagia noctiluca
Rhizostoma pulmo More than 1 indiv m-2 More than 3 hours Bathing prohibition
Chrysaora hysoscella
Carybdea marsupialis
Olindias phosphorica

Cotylorhiza tuberculata
Aurelia sp.
Aequorea forskalea Irrelevant Inform NO risk with
Velella velella these species
Porpita porpita
Discomedusa lobata
Phyllorhiza punctata
Mnemiopsis leidyi

41
Report your sightings
Institut de Ciències del Mar
(ICM - CSIC)
Tel. 900102289
e-mail: medusa@icm.csic.es
w w w.jellyrisk .eu

Re q u i re d i n f o r m at i o n

Densit y, geographic
location, time of obser vation,
me teorological conditions (winds,
currents, se a state), jellyfish
species, and send a photo
when possible
Fe w (<1 indi v/10m 2)
Jellyfish
Some (>1 indi v/10m 2)
densit y
Many (>1 indi v/m 2)
42
 “This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union
under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The contents of this docu-
ment are the sole responsibility of CONISMA and its implementing partners, and can under
no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or of the
Programme’s management structures. The total budget of the MED-JELLYRISK project is €
2.6 million and it is financed for an amount of € 2.33 million by the European Union through
the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.”

Stinging treatment protocol authors: Stefano Piraino and Alan Deidun Jellyfish Art: Alberto Gennari Design and layout: Macarena Marambio
© MED-JELLYRISK, all rights reserved