Be careful! Venomous box jellyfish with extremely painful sting spotted in Maltese waters
If worrying about the mauve jellyfish was not enough, the box jellyfish with its even worse sting has been spotted in Maltese waters.
Ben Pavia posted on the Facebook group ‘Jellyfish in Malta’ stating how he spotted the translucent creature and even managed to catch one in Marsaskala Bay.
Soon more people commented stating they too have spotted it, and some were unfortunately stung by it.
One commentator even stated how even two weeks later the sting still itches significantly.
Alan Deidun, a Maltese marine biologist stated they prefer “marina areas and harbours since they probably lay their eggs on concrete walls (jetties, wharves, etc)”.
They mainly bloom in the Mediterranean between May and October and the best treatment for their stings is vinegar.
Fortunately, the Mediterranean box jellyfish (Carybdea marsupialis) is not a deadly one unlike some of its counterparts found in Australia.