JAKARTA - Researchers from Singapore and Japan have discovered a new species of venomous box jellyfish in waters near Sentosa Island, a popular beach tourist area in Singapore. This finding is important because box jellyfish are among the most dangerous groups of marine animals in the world.
According to a report by The Straits Times, quoted Wednesday, June 3, the new species was named Chironex blakangmati. The name is taken from the old name of Sentosa, namely Blakang Mati Island.
This discovery is the first record of a new species of the Chironex genus since 2017. A genus is a group in the classification of living things. In this case, Chironex is known as a group of box jellyfish with a very strong sting.
This species is the fourth known Chironex species in the world. Its population in Singapore waters is not clear. So far, its appearance is said to be still rare and not routine.
The research team is from Tohoku University, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, and the Tropical Marine Science Institute at the National University of Singapore.
They asked beach visitors to be more careful when swimming. Simple steps recommended include wearing closed swimwear and using brightly colored floats when swimming away from the beach.
Box jellyfish are named after their body shape that resembles a cube. Unlike ordinary jellyfish that are more carried by the current, box jellyfish can swim on their own. This animal also has the ability to see, so it is more effective in hunting prey.
The problem is, the body of a transparent box jellyfish and it is difficult to see in the water. So the danger is not only in its poison, but also because people can get too close without realizing it.
The Chironex group is even nicknamed sea wasps or sea wasps. Its sting can be fatal to humans.
In Singapore, cases of box jellyfish stings are not often. However, in 2020, swimming activities at Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island were temporarily stopped after box jellyfish were seen in the area.
A more recent and widely reported case occurred in Langkawi, Malaysia, in November 2025. A two-year-old Russian boy died from complications after being stung by a box jellyfish.
Before it was confirmed as a new species, C. blakangmati was suspected of being one of the three known Chironex species.
"C. blakangmati looks very similar to Chironex yamaguchii," said researcher Cheryl Ames, a professor at Tohoku University, quoted by The Straits Times.
However, genetic analysis showed that the two were different. The team also found differences in body shape. C. blakangmati does not have a pointed channel in certain parts that help the jellyfish move in the water.
In addition to the new species, researchers also found Chironex indrasaksajiae in Singapore waters. This is the first report of the species found there. Previously, this jellyfish was more commonly found in Thai waters.
This finding is important for coastal tourist areas in Southeast Asia, because the distribution of box jellyfish in this region has not been fully understood.
The Singapore National Parks Board advises people to cover as much of their skin as possible when swimming, not to swim alone, and to carry vinegar as an emergency measure.
Vinegar can help prevent the box jellyfish tentacles from releasing more venom. If stung, the victim must remain calm and immediately seek medical help.
Don't remove the tentacles with bare hands. Rinse the stung area with sea water or vinegar for at least 30 seconds, then remove the tentacles with a towel or tweezers. If vinegar makes the pain worse, use sea water only.
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