5 largest jellyfish species in the world and their unique traits

When we think of ocean animals, jellyfish might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but they’re full of surprises- - especially the big ones! These magnificent creatures move through the water with long tentacles. Some, like the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish, have tentacles longer than a blue whale, and others, like the Pink Meanie, even eat other jellyfish! Here’s a carefully curated list of the 5 largest jellyfish species and their unique traits for all the wildlife enthusiasts out there. Delve in and find out what makes them so special!

The Lion's Mane Jellyfish, scientific name Cyanea capillata is known to be the largest jellyfish. Its bell can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) wide, and its tentacles can be over 120 feet (36.5 meters) long. It commonly lives in cold waters like the North Atlantic and Pacific. Its tentacles look like a lion’s mane, hence the name ‘lion’s mane’. Its sting can hurt a lot, but it's usually not dangerous. It catches small fish and plankton with its tentacles.

The Nomura’s Jellyfish, scientific name Nemopilema nomurai, is another very big and heavy species, weighing up to 440 pounds (200 kg). Its bell can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 meters) wide, and its tentacles can reach 100 feet (30 meters). It’s commonly found in the Sea of Japan. Its sting is believed to be immensely painful, but it’s not deadly. It often feeds on small fish and plankton.

The Pink Meanie, scientific name Mastigias papua is a magnificent pink-colored jellyfish. It can grow to about 1 meter (3.3 feet) wide. It’s known to be immensely renowned and special because it eats other jellyfish, like the Moon Jellyfish. It commonly lives in warm waters in the Pacific.

The Stygomedusa gigantea is known to be a deep-sea jellyfish. Its bell can grow up to 2.3 feet (70 cm) wide. It’s smaller than some other big jellyfish but still large for one that lives deep in the ocean. It often feeds on small creatures in the deep ocean.

The Sea Nettle, scientific name Chrysaora species, is a jellyfish found in coastal waters. Its bell is about 12 to 24 inches (30-60 cm) wide. While not as big as the others, it still has an incredibly painful sting. It catches small fish and plankton with its tentacles. The sting can immediately cause immense irritation to your skin, but it’s not usually dangerous. Sea Nettles are an important part of the ocean ecosystem.