This page lists 23 sharks, rays and other marine animals: 17 from The University of Southern Mississippi, School of Ocean Science and Engineering, Center for Fisheries Research and Development's Identification Guide to Sharks of Mississippi and 6 named in other official sources.
3 are venomous by official accounts. 1 is nonnative.
Not every species: this page shows the sharks, rays and other marine animals named in the official sources below. How lists are built.
Which sharks, rays and other marine animals can hurt you
Official sources single out these sharks, rays and other marine animals in Mississippi, in their own words:
Venom: “Punctures by the spine of a catfish fin deposit a venom” (Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center (University of Mississippi Medical Center); hosted by the Mississippi State Department of Health)
Float rises up to 6 in above the water and is up to 10 in long. Tentacles average about 30 ft and may reach about 100 ft; South Carolina DNR cites up to 165 ft.
How to recognize it
Gas-filled, balloon-like float on the water's surface
Long tentacles hanging below the float
A colony, not a single animal, drifting with wind and currents
What the sources say
Venom: “Vinegar can cause unfired stinging cells, called nematocysts, to fire, injecting more venom” (National Park Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore)
Adults grow to about 18 inches (NOAA); USGS lists 47 cm. Juveniles can be 1 inch or less.
How to recognize it
Fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the mouth, fan-like pectoral fins and long, separated dorsal spines.
13 dorsal spines and 3 anal spines.
Slow-moving and conspicuous.
What the sources say
Venom: “This popular aquarium pet with a bold appearance and venomous ‘mane-like’ spines first escaped into Florida’s Atlantic waters in 1992 as a result of Hurricane Andrew.” (Mississippi Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force; hosted by MDWFP)
Red lionfish and devil firefish (each other) Venomous
USGS: the two invasive species look the same; positive identification takes genetic analysis.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When sharks, rays and other marine animals are active in Mississippi
Records of sharks, rays and other marine animals in Mississippi peak in February, July and September. They show when people record sharks, rays and other marine animals, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
30 records of sharks, rays and other marine animals in Mississippi by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
How to report
Bear problems or sightings, and nuisance-animal guidance: MDWFP Wildlife Bureau (601) 432-2199. Nuisance animal technical guidance is also available from USDA Wildlife Services (MS) (662) 325-3014. Coastal invasive species: MDMR Invasive Species Coordinator (228) 523-4113. Sawfish sightings: 1-844-4SAWFISH. MDWFP
“Through our research, we have found that our local waters are an important nursery area for many coastal shark species.”
Are there lionfish in mississippi waters?
Yes. Red lionfish is in the MDMR state saltwater records (record dated 02/14/17). They have venomous spines and the state calls them invasive. Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
About Us. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Identification Guide to Sharks of Mississippi (Hoffmayer, Franks, Shelley, Higgs and Hendon). The University of Southern Mississippi, School of Ocean Science and Engineering, Center for Fisheries Research and Development (developed with support from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and USFWS Sport Fish Restoration). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Through our research, we have found that our local waters are an important nursery area for many coastal shark species.”
Venomous Animals of Mississippi. Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center (University of Mississippi Medical Center); hosted by the Mississippi State Department of Health. archived copy, captured February 18, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Other species in this area which are known to be of potential danger include: … Portuguese Man-of-War”
“Punctures by the spine of a catfish fin deposit a venom”
Jellyfish and Siphonophores. National Park Service, Gulf Islands National Seashore. updated December 9, 2019; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Vinegar can cause unfired stinging cells, called nematocysts, to fire, injecting more venom”
“This popular aquarium pet with a bold appearance and venomous ‘mane-like’ spines first escaped into Florida’s Atlantic waters in 1992 as a result of Hurricane Andrew.”
“One interesting ray is the torpedo ray, which produces its own electricity. Although the electric current is not strong enough to kill a person, it is severe enough to give a strong jolt.”
“The barb, or spine, located partway down the tail, is sharp and (like a kitchen knife) has serrated side projections which are dangerous. … The skin covering the base of the barb has toxic cells that can cause pain and infection.”
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