Marine bites and stings factsheet
Introduction
Australian waterways have different types of animals that can bite or sting.
Some bites and stings from marine animals can be life-threatening and may need urgent medical care.
Marine animals bite or sting to protect themselves from humans or other animals.
It's important to teach your child about the types of marine animals that can bite or sting, how to avoid them, and what to do if they are bitten or stung.
Blue bottles and non-tropical stingers
These soft, jelly-like animals have long, thin tentacles.
Bluebottles are common in non-tropical waters. They are bright blue, filled with air, and float on the water's surface. They usually have one long tentacle containing tiny cells that pierce the skin and release painful venom.
Blue-ringed octopus
These small octopuses are found in rock pools and shallow reefs with eight arms and a hard, sharp beak.
They change from light brown to bright yellow with glowing blue rings when threatened. They bite with their beaks and release highly poisonous venom into the bloodstream.
Cone snails
These sea snails live in shallow water, reefs, and sandy areas. Their shells are cone-shaped and brightly patterned.
They shoot a small, harpoon-like tooth that delivers extremely poisonous venom when it pierces the skin.
Sea snakes
These snakes live in warm tropical waters and can’t move on land. They have sharp teeth and bite to release venom into the bloodstream. They are not usually aggressive but will bite when they are touched.
Tropical stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji)
These soft, jelly-like animals have long tentacles and live in tropical waters.
- Box jellyfish are large, see-through, and box-shaped, with tentacles up to three metres long.
- Irukandji are small and see-through, with tentacles up to 10 centimetres long. Both can cause life-threatening stings.
Venomous fish (stone fish, stingrays and lionfish)
These fish produce venom, delivered through a bite, stinger, or spine. Some venomous fish are brightly coloured, like lionfish. Others are camouflaged and hard to spot, like stingrays and stonefish.
They are common in tropical environments and can cause severe injury if stepped on or touched.
Signs and symptoms
Marine animal bites and stings can be life-threatening and need urgent medical treatment.
Blue bottles and non-tropical stingers
Symptoms appear quickly and can last for 1-2 hours. They include:
- intense pain
- red, wavy lines on the skin
- joint aches.
Blue-ringed octopus
Symptoms will usually show up quickly, and there may not be any pain from the bite.
They can include:
- feeling numb around the mouth, tongue, face and neck
- a tight chest
- difficulty breathing.
Cone snails
Symptoms will usually show up quickly.
They can include:
- severe pain
- feeling numb around the mouth, tongue, face, and neck
- a tight chest
- losing consciousness or passing out
- difficulty breathing.
Sea snakes
Symptoms will usually show up within three hours.
They can include:
- difficulty swallowing
- joint aches
- muscle pain
- blurry vision
- vomiting
- paralysis.
Tropical stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji)
Symptoms of a box jellyfish sting show up immediately. They include:
- severe, burning pain
- severe, red, whip-like lines in the skin
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- cardiac arrest – when the heart stops beating.
Symptoms of an Irukandji sting may take up to 45 minutes to appear. They include:
- shooting pain in the muscles and chest
- severe head and backache
- nausea and vomiting
- difficulty breathing.
Venomous fish (stone fish, stingrays, and lionfish)
Symptoms will show up immediately.
They can include:
- intense pain
- swelling around the sting
- bleeding
- a broken barb or spine left in the skin
- difficulty breathing
- sweating
- losing consciousness or passing out.
Anaphylaxis, bites and stings
Some children are at risk of severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- wheezing, difficult, or noisy breathing
- swelling of the tongue
- swelling or tightness in the throat
- a persistent cough
- difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
- dizziness
- becoming pale and floppy in young children
- collapsing.
Children at risk of anaphylaxis may also vomit.
If your child has signs of anaphylaxis, you should:
- follow your child’s ASCIA action plan for anaphylaxis if you have one
- use an EpiPen® or Anapen®, if there is one available
- call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose a marine animal injury or envenomation based on:
- your child's symptoms
- the type of animal
- any relevant tests and scans.
Children who have an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, will need to see a specialist doctor for testing and treatment.
Treatment
Sea creature bites and stings can be life-threatening and need urgent medical treatment.
Seek help from:
- a nearby lifeguard if available
- the poisons information centre on 13 11 26
- NSW ambulance, by calling Triple Zero (000).
Blue-ringed octopus, cone snails and sea snakes.
Bites and stings from these marine animals can be life-threatening and need immediate medical attention.
Find a nearby lifeguard for first aid help if there is one available.
First aid includes:
- removing your child from the water
- calling triple zero (000) for an ambulance and following any instructions given over the phone
- wrapping the body part that has been bitten or stung in a pressure bandage
- keeping your child as still as possible until the ambulance arrives.
Pressure bandages prevent the venom from travelling further into the body. They should be wrapped firmly but not so tight that your child feels numb or their skin changes colour.
To apply a pressure bandage:
- wrap a firm, wide elastic bandage over the bite
- wrap a firm, wide elastic bandage over the entire limb – fingers to shoulder, toes to hip
- use a splint or another hard object to keep the limb straight.
If you do not have an elastic bandage, you can use:
- clothing
- towels
- socks or stockings.
Blue bottles and non-tropical stingers
Find a nearby lifeguard for immediate first aid help if one is available.
If your child is stung by a blue bottle:
- remove them from the water
- remove any tentacles on their skin with sea water or using a towel to cover your hand
- cover the sting in water from somewhere like a shower or in a bucket that is as hot as your child can tolerate for 30 minutes
- NEVER use boiling water
- check the water temperature before using it on your child
- watch to make sure your child is not burned.
- if hot water is not available, use ice wrapped in cloth or a towel or cold running water
- watch your child to see if symptoms settle
- If symptoms do not settle, call the poisons information centre on 13 11 26 for advice.
Venomous fish (including stone fish, stingrays, and lionfish)
Stings from venomous fish, including stone fish and stingrays, can be severe and life-threatening.
Find a nearby lifeguard for immediate first aid help if one is available.
If your child is stung by a venomous fish:
- remove your child from the water
- call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and follow any instructions given over the phone
- leave the spine or barb in the skin unless you are told otherwise by the ambulance
- cover the sting in water from somewhere like a shower or in a bucket that is as hot as your child can tolerate for 30 minutes
- NEVER use boiling water
- check the water temperature before using it on your child
- watch to make sure your child is not burned.
- replace the water as it starts to cool down
- continue until the ambulance arrives
- call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for further advice while you wait.
Tropical stingers (including box jellyfish and Irukandji)
Stings from tropical stingers, including box jellyfish and Irukandji, can be severe and life-threatening.
Find a nearby lifeguard for immediate first aid help if one is available.
If your child is stung by a tropical stinger:
- remove your child from the water
- call triple zero (000) for an ambulance and follow any instructions given over the phone
- immediately remove any tentacles with seawater
- if seawater is not available, remove any tentacles from your child’s skin using a towel to cover your hand
- immediately soak the stings in vinegar for at least 30 seconds
- watch your child for signs of breathing or heart issues while you wait for the ambulance to arrive
- call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for further advice while you wait.
Tropical stingers (box jellyfish and Irukandji)
Stings from tropical stingers, including stone box jellyfish and Irukandji, can be severe and life-threatening.
Find a nearby lifeguard for immediate first aid help if there is one available.
If your child is stung by a tropical stinger:
- remove your child from the water
- call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance and follow any instructions given over the phone
- immediately soak the stings in vinegar for at least 30 seconds
- if you do not have vinegar, remove any tentacles from your child’s skin using a towel to cover your hand
- rinse the stings in seawater
- watch your child for signs of breathing or cardiac issues while you wait for the ambulance to arrive
- call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for further advice while you wait.
Management
Preventing bites and stings from marine animals
One of the best ways to prevent bites and stings is to teach your child to leave marine animals alone. It helps to know where these animals might be found, such as:
- in rock pools
- under rocks
- in the ocean at certain times of the year
- in areas with warning signs.
You can also help your child stay safe at the beach and in the ocean by:
- encouraging them to wear protective water shoes around rock pools and full-body swimsuits in areas with stingers
- teaching them to "look, don’t touch" when it comes to marine animals and shells, both in the water and on land
- watching for warning signs and alerts about marine animals before swimming
- swimming at patrolled beaches and staying between the flags so lifeguards can see you
- entering the water slowly and shuffling your feet to give hidden stingrays a chance to swim away.