Four main types of jellyfish are found in the Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Panhandle. These range from mostly harmless to deadly, so know what to look for next time you visit the Gulf in Florida, and be prepared.
These are the most common type found in the Gulf of Mexico. Cannonball jellyfish are relatively harmless unless encountered in large numbers. They are characterized by a round, rigid bell and reddish-brown pattern, tennis- to soccer-ball size.
Surfers fear these the most---30 minutes or so of burning and itching await the unlucky swimmer who runs into a moon jellyfish. They are usually clear or white-tinted, with a pinkish cloverleaf pattern in the center, 3 to 20 inches across.
Sea nettles have a slightly darker brown body compared with moon jellyfish, with more tentacles hanging underneath, and are usually 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Their sting is also more painful, with itching possibly lasting for several weeks.
More rare, but deadly, the Portuguese man o' war is easy to spot---and avoid---due to the purple or blue air-filled sacs that float above them in the water, one to 12 or more inches across, although the tentacles are very long. Even dead and washed up on the shore, this jellyfish can still sting and poison, so never touch it.
Jellyfish increase with availability of their prey, as well as seasonally, numbers rising with the temperature. Highest numbers near shore are usually June through August.
