Little marine creatures resembling small jellyfish have washed up on area beaches. Called Blue Buttons, they are often thought to be jellyfish but are actually hydroids, small predatory creatures distantly related to jellyfish. Graham Northup, curator of fish and reptiles at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, said they don’t sting as severely as some jellyfish, but do have stinging cells that can cause skin irritation and it’s best to avoid them if you see them on the beach. Joe D’Agostino, beach safety chief with the Destin Fire Control District, said the Blue Buttons have not been seen in large enough numbers to warrant us flying purple flags to indicate the presence of hazardous marine life.