Classification:
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Cubozoa
Scientific Name: Chironex fleckeri
Common Name: Box Jellyfish/Sea Wasp
Class: Cubozoa
Scientific Name: Chironex fleckeri
Common Name: Box Jellyfish/Sea Wasp
General Characteristics:
The Box Jellyfish has a box-shaped bell. It is usually colorless and transparent. Box Jellyfish can range in size between 16 and 24cm. As many as 15 tentacles hang from each of the four pedalia located on each corner of the bell. The tentacles have a faint blue-gray tint and can grow up to 3m in length. Each tentacle contains millions of stinging nematocyst cells that aid in stunning and capturing prey (shrimp and small fish). Although they do not have a brain, the Box Jellyfish has sensory organs including 24 eyes. Box Jellyfish find mates by swimming to fresh water rivers during the spring. Sperm and eggs are released directly into the water for fertilization to occur. Shortly after spawning, the Box Jellyfish die. Jellyfish polyps reproduce asexually via budding while the medusa reproduces sexually.
Habitat:
The Box Jellyfish lives in and around the waters of Australia and Southeast Asia. They tend to inhabit shallow, murkey saline waters and can be found in freshwater rivers during the spring and their polyp stage.
Importance to Humans:
Box Jellyfish can deliver a powerful sting to swimmers and are responsible for most of the stings in Queensland, Australia and the Philippines. It is believed to be the most venomous creature in the world and have caused 60 human deaths in the past century.
Sources:
Schmidt, Timothy. "Chironex fleckeri". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved from: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Chironex_fleckeri/.