Top 7 Largest Jellyfish In The World

Jellyfish are fascinating creatures that inhabit every ocean, from the surface to the deep sea. Some jellyfish are larger than a human and can be very dangerous. Jellyfish play a crucial role in the ocean’s ecosystems, often forming part of the diet of larger marine creatures.

They are also known for their beautiful, translucent bodies that add an element of mystery to these incredible marine animals. The largest jellyfish in the world is the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish with the largest one found off the coast of Massachusetts in 1865.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 7 largest jellyfish in the world based on their overall bell size and tentacle length.

7. Purple Striped Jelly (2.3 ft, 1 ft)

The Purple Striped Jellyfish, also known as Chrysaora colorata, is a colossal jellyfish species that can reach up to 2.3 ft in diameter. It also displays a radial pattern of stripes on its body.

Its tentacles vary with the age of the individual, typically consisting of eight marginal long dark arms and four central frilly oral arms. Its main diet consists of fish eggs, small fish, and other small jellyfish.

6. Tiburonia (2.5 ft)

The Tiburonia, also known as the giant phantom jelly or big red jellyfish, is a deep-sea invertebrate that stands out due to its significant size. The bell of the Tiburonia can reach up to 2.5 ft (30 inches) in diameter.

Unlike most jellyfish that have long tentacles, the Tiburonia has 4-7 thick, fleshy oral arms. This jellyfish lives at depths of 600 to 1,500 meters (2,000 to 4,900 feet) and is found across the Pacific Ocean in the Gulf of California, Monterey Bay, Hawaii, and Japan.

It is believed that these jellies are exhibiting deep-sea gigantism.

5. Sea Nettle (3ft, 20 ft)

The Sea Nettle Jellyfish, scientifically known as Chrysaora, is a captivating species known for its considerable size. The bell of the Sea Nettle can reach up to 3 feet in diameter, and its arms and tentacles can extend as long as 20 feet.

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However, most specimens are usually smaller, with a bell diameter of about 16-20 inches and proportionally shorter arms and tentacles. Most commercial aquariums typically prefer Sea Nettles due to their vibrant color and striking array of tentacles.

4. Stygomedusa gigantea (3ft, 33 ft)

The Stygomedusa gigantea, commonly known as the giant phantom jelly, is a deep-sea jellyfish that is one of the largest invertebrate predators in the ecosystem. This species is rarely seen but is believed to be widespread throughout the world.

The giant phantom jelly has an umbrella-shaped bell that can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in diameter. The bell’s pliant tissue allows for the jellyfish to stretch 4 to 5 times its size. Their four arms have a “paddle-like” or “kite-like” shape and can grow up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length.

The arms grow in a “V” shape transversely, with a wider base and tapering towards the ends.

3. Pink Meanie (3 ft, 70 ft)

The Pink Meanie Jellyfish (Drymonema larsoni) is a unique jellyfish species known for its significant size and pink or mauve color. The Pink Meanie’s bell can grow up to 3 feet in diameter, and its tentacles can reach an impressive length of up to 70 feet.

In terms of weight, a mature Pink Meanie can weigh between 14 to 23 kg. Its main food source is other small jellyfish. This jellyfish also has more than 200 stingers attached to be used against its prey.

2. Nomura’s Jellyfish (6ft, 6ft)

Credit: Janne Hellsten

The Nomura’s Jellyfish (Nemopilema nomurai) is one of the largest jellyfish species in the world growing up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) in diameter and weighing up to 200 kg (440 lb). Astonishingly, it can reach this size in less than a year.

The Nomura’s Jellyfish is primarily found in the waters between China and Japan, especially in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea. It feeds mainly on zooplankton throughout its life, and as it grows larger, it starts preying on larger fish.

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The sheer mass of these jellyfish can wipe out planktonic blooms, posing a threat to the already-overfished waters they inhabit.

1. Lion’s Mane (7 ft, 120 ft)

The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish also known as hair jelly is the biggest jellyfish in the world. The largest Lion's Mane ever recorded was measured at an astonishing 7 feet in diameter. But the bell's size pales compared to the tentacles' length. The tentacles of this specimen were found to be around 120 feet long.

To put that into perspective, that’s longer than a blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. Despite their size, Lion’s Mane Jellyfish are composed almost entirely of water and have a very delicate and gelatinous structure. This makes them incredibly fragile, and they can be damaged by rough seas or contact with a human diver.

Their long tentacles increase their reach for capturing prey, and their large bell allows them to move efficiently through the water.

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