Blue-Bottles what exactly are they?

The Portuguese man o’ war (commonly known as the Blue Bottle) is one of the most fascinating—and dangerous—organisms found in oceans around Australia and the world. Although it looks like a jellyfish, it’s a colonial organism of specialised individual animals (polyps) working together.

What Makes It Unique?

Its top part is a gas-filled float called a pneumatophore, shaped like a sail. This lets it drift across the water surface. Below the float, long tentacles extend—sometimes up to 30 meters long—filled with venomous stingers called nematocysts. These can paralyze fish and squid and even cause injury to humans.

Structure of the Portuguese Man o’ War

• Pneumatophore (Float): Keeps the organism afloat
• Tentacles (Dactylozooids): Used for defense and capturing prey
• Gastrozooids: Digest food using enzymes
• Gonozooids: Handle reproduction

Why Lifeguards Must Be Aware

Encounters with a Portuguese man o’ war can cause painful stings, allergic reactions, and even severe medical emergencies. That’s why our lifeguard courses in Perth include detailed training on identifying, avoiding, and responding to stings from marine hazards like the Blue Bottle.

Learn Marine Hazard Response in Our Courses

West Coast Water Safety trains lifeguards and water safety professionals to handle real-world marine threats confidently. If you’re considering a career in water safety, enrol in one of our nationally accredited courses today.

Interested in Our Training Programs?

Get in touch to explore our Pool Lifeguard, Beach Lifeguard, or Marine First Aid courses.