Rare: Portuguese Man o' War washes ashore in New Jersey

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Tuesday, June 23, 2015
VIDEO: Portuguese Man o' War found in NJ
A Portuguese Man O' War was found on the beach in Harvey Cedars.

HARVEY CEDARS, N.J. (WPVI) -- Jellyfish are common in the waters off of New Jersey, but what washed ashore Sunday on Long Beach Island was... well, different.

The Portuguese Man o' War, also known as a bluebottle or floating terror, is actually not a jellyfish, and it is very uncommon in this area.

Beachgoers didn't seem too concerned, but maybe they should have been.

The Portuguese Man o' War packs a punch, delivering a sting more powerful than a typical jellyfish.

The Man o' War is more typically found in warmer waters well south of New Jersey, but experts say the right currents and wind direction can send their painful tentacles in our direction.