Man Stung As More Dangerous 'Clinging' Jellyfish Found At Jersey Shore

A New Jersey man was hospitalized this week after he was stung by a dangerous clinging jellyfish with a "toxic sting," just as more were found at the Shore.

The Middletown man, who was not identified, was stung in Oceanport and was hospitalized soon after, according to Monmouth Beach officials.

The man originally thought he was stung by a regular jellyfish. Doctors sent him home because they thought it was a minor sting, but he was later transported to the hospital after he developed stiff muscles, officials said. His status was unknown at press time.

NBC4 New York identified the man as Matt Carlo, saying the man has recovered.

On Wednesday, meanwhile, three dime-size clinging jellyfish were found in the Shrewsbury River by residents of Monmouth Beach, according to borough officials.

Read more: Rare, Dangerous Jellyfish With 'Toxic Sting' Found In New Jersey

The clinging jellyfish is native to the Pacific Ocean and has recently been uncovered in New Jersey waters as well as in Massachusetts and in waters off New York and New Hampshire. Clinging jellyfish hang on to eelgrass or seaweed and usually remain in deep water during the day, and surface at night to feed.

The jellyfish's worst possible danger is stinging somebody and causing kidney failure. At the very least, it could easily send somebody to the hospital. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution says the sting of the jellyfish could feel as sharp as hypodermic needles.

Two weeks ago, a clinging jellyfish was discovered in the north end of the Barnegat Bay near Brick and Point Pleasant Boro, according to News12.

Josh Hart captured a dime-sized jellyfish while fishing in the Barnegat Bay just south of Point Pleasant Inlet and brought it to the Jenkinson's Aquarium, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Paul Bologna, director of marine biology at Montclair State University, told the station that it appears it's the first appearance of the jellyfish in New Jersey waters - and it probably won't be the last.

"Generally, when you find one, there are more," he told NBC Philadelphia.

Photo: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution