What is in box jellyfish venom?

Difficult question to answer. Not all box jellyfish are toxic, at least not to the point of being dangerous to humans.

Not all box jellyfish venoms have been studied and not all are alike.

There are two orders of box jellies: Chirodropida and Carybdeida. Chirodropida is represented by two clades: Anthozoa and Medusozoa. Carybdeida are divided into five families: Alatinidae, Carukiidae, Carybdeidae, Tamoyidae, Tripedaliidae.

The primary difference between Chirodropida and Carybdeida, is the presence of branched muscular bases at the corners of the cubic umbrella of Chirodropida, and the absence of these in Carybdeida.

The specific toxins and protein sequences of box jelly toxins are still unknown. Work continues to isolate them so that anti-toxins can be developed. What is known is that box jelly toxins can affect the heart, nervous system, and skin cells of victims. Unlike the venom of other animals, jelly poisons often have a sodium channel modulating process. Other functions of box jelly poison may actually make cells more porous and lead to the increased loss of phosphorous.

Box Jelly venoms do not fit neatly within any other known venom categories.