Often confused with the jellyfish, the Portuguese Man O’ War also known as the blue bubble, blue bottle or simply man-of-war is a jelly like floating colony of organisms with blue, violet, or pink balloon-like float, which trails clusters of tentacles and polyps.
The Man O’ War is unique as it is actually a cluster of several organisms each highly specialized and cannot sustain themselves individually, dependent for survival on the others to do what the particular “zooid “ cannot do by itself .
The name Portuguese Man O’ War was given to this creature because of its resemblance to the Portuguese Warship known as the Man Of War or Caravela which has triangular sails much like the shape of the Man O’ War’s bubble sail. In Australia, the Man O’ War is known more commonly as the Blue Bottle, because of its blue tentacles that can stream as far as 50m (165ft) long.
The Man O’ War cannot swim and depends entirely on the oceans currents and winds to propel it around the oceans, with the help of its bubble sail, which is a gas filled sail shaped bladder that sticks out of the water to help propel the creature forward by catching the wind like a sail. Living primarily on the surface of the ocean in tropical and sub-tropical waters around the world, the Portuguese Man O’ War preys on small fish that come in contact with its toxic tentacles, and get paralyzed immediately and devoured slowly. The only predator of this creature is the loggerhead turtle that doesn’t get affected by its sting, and certain species of octopus that frequently eat the Man O’ War.
The Man O’ War is notoriously known for the painful stings it can inflict on unsuspecting humans that come into contact with its long tentacles that contain poison-filled nematocysts (thread like structures). Beaches have been known to be shut-down due to Man O’ War sightings, which usually signify the presence of hundreds, as they drift around together. Australia which has an unusual abundance of Man O War visiting its beaches, have up to 10,000 stinging incidents reported each year .
The Blue Bottle or Man O’ War sting is more painful than a jellyfish sting, and causes red whip-like welts that sting and last for up to 2-3 days after contact. Nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, muscle weakness, runny nose, difficulty breathing, and irregular heart rate are not uncommon symptoms of a Man O ’War sting. Often these creatures lay washed up on the beach and even after death can still sting people who come in contact with its tentacles for days after its dead.
Suggested First Aid involves applying sea water to the affected area, followed by application of hot fresh water to the affected area to reduce the pain of the sting. It is recommended not to use freshwater or Vinegar to treat the sting of a Man O ‘War as it will only worsen the sting. Seek immediate medical attention if the victim displays symptoms of an allergic reaction to the venom.
Best method of prevention of Man O’ War stings is by wearing a full wetsuit while snorkeling, swimming or surfing. Divers should pay careful attention to the surface of the ocean before entering the water and scan the surface while ascending. If a Man O’ War is sighted it usually signifies the presence of several others in the vicinity, and since their tentacles can trail for up to 50m (165ft), it is best to get out of the water and cease any diving activity in the area.
*Photo Credits: photos by Olaf, freezingmariner, subberculture, Márcio Cabral de Moura, st3v3l33 on flickr
