Although the box jellyfish has been called «the world’s most venomous creature», only a few species in the class have been confirmed to be involved in human deaths, and some species pose no serious threat at all. In Australia, fatalities are most often perpetrated by the largest species of this class of jellyfish, the sea wasp, which is a species of deadly venomous box jellyfish found in coastal waters from northern Australia,  New Guinea, Philippines & Vietnam.

We met it in a bathtub with Will Smith. Who is it?

This is considered to be the most deadly jellyfish in the world and has been described as such, with at least 63 known deaths in Australia from 1884 to 1996.

It’s official name is Chironex flicker  and it was named after North Queensland toxicologist and radiologist Doctor Hugo Flecker who discovered the species for the first time in 1995, the name being derived from the Greek `cheiro’ meaning `hand’, and the Latin `nex’ meaning `murderer’, and `fleckeri’ in honour of its discoverer.

Also known as the marine stinger, distinguished by its cube-shape medusa, it has fifteen tentacles, which may extend ten feet in length. Each tentacle has around half a million darts. These microscopic darts seems to be the problem since they are full of venom. They say that, each one could theoretically kill up to 60 people.

It is fast-acting, and may cause cardiovascular arrest within a matter of minutes. The pain from the sting itself is incredibly intense, and may cause death even before the venom does, as it can lead to shock.

If you were unlucky enough to come across a tentacle of this jelly, seek immediate medical care and instantly apply vinegar. The application of vinegar is recommended treatment because vinegar (4-6% acetic acid) permanently deactivates undischarged nematocysts, preventing them from opening and releasing venom.