Fire Jelly, Moreton Bay Stinger

Large transparent box-shaped bell with one tentacle in each corner. The bell can be 6-18cm wide with 4 thick, ribbon-shaped tentacles that may be up to 1m long.

Tropical Australian waters, all Queensland and northern New South Wales coasts, often an open water jellyfish. Sub-species are more common at Mackay, Moreton Bay and northern New South Wales.

Tropical Australia - North of Agnes Water

1. Remove casualty from water if safe to do so
2. DRSABCD
3. If casualty has more than one localised single sting or looks/feels unwell, call triple zero (000) and seek assistance from a lifeguard if available
4. Liberally douse stung area with vinegar for 30 seconds. If vinegar is unavailable, rinse the sting well with seawater
5. Apply cold pack or ice in dry plastic bag for pain relief. Do not apply freshwater directly onto the sting.
6. Casualty may experience Irukandji Syndrome and should be monitored for 45 minutes.

Non-tropical - South of Agnes Water

1. . Rinse well with sea water
2. Place stung area in hot water for 20 minutes
3. If local pain is unrelieved by heat or if hot water is not available, apply cold pack or ice in a dry plastic bag
4. If pain persists, is generalised or if the sting area is large or involves sensitive areas (e.g. the eyes), dial triple zero (000) and seek assistance from lifeguards if available

The name Morbakka is derived from ‘Moreton Bay Carybdeid’ because it was originally discovered in Moreton Bay. Morbakka fenneri is a type of Irukandji jellyfish, which are a subset of the carybdeid jellyfish.