10 biggest and most dangerous sea jellyfish in the world

Jellyfish are the oldest marine life that appeared hundreds of millions of years ago. These underwater inhabitants got their name from their resemblance to a mythical creature: the Gorgon Medusa. The body of these representatives of the marine world is more than 90% water. Salt waters are their favorite habitat. Translucent creatures are being investigated by scientists. The poisonous and largest jellyfish are of particular interest.

The rating includes the most dangerous and largest jellyfish in the world.

• 10. Irukandji jellyfish | 10 centimeters

  The Irukandji jellyfish is one of the most venomous jellyfish in the Pacific Ocean. The main habitat is Australian waters. The diameter of its dome is about 10 centimeters. The Irukandji has four tentacles that can be up to 1 meter long. A jellyfish sting is dangerous to humans and can cause a number of unpleasant consequences: pain throughout the body, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, and even pulmonary edema. In rare cases, death may occur. Irukaji's venom is slow-acting, so symptoms may take several days to appear. Despite its small size, it poses a certain risk to swimmers.

• 9. Pelagia noctiluca jellyfish | 12 centimeters

  Pelagia noctiluca (Night Light) is one of the most beautiful ugly jellyfish common in the waters of the world and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as in the Red and Mediterranean Seas. The body diameter of the jellyfish reaches 12 centimeters. The color of the dome is purple-red, with frills around the edges. In addition to stinging cells and tentacles, Pelagia has four mouths. The jellyfish begins to glow upon contact with any object. The main living creature that Night Light feeds on is benthos, sometimes fry and crustaceans. The jellyfish poses a certain danger to humans, since the venom it injects causes burns and, in some cases, shock.

• 8. Portuguese Man-of-War | 25 centimeters

  Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia) - is a "sailboat" shaped bubble jellyfish that floats on the surface of the water. The body of the "man-of-war" is 25 centimeters, but the tentacles of Physalia can reach 50 meters, which it hides under water. It has a nice blue or purple color. The Portuguese man-of-war prefers to eat fish larvae and small squids. Physalia is one of the most venomous marine jellyfish. Upon contact with its tentacles, a person receives a severe burn, which is accompanied by acute pain. The injected venom is capable of paralyzing all vital organs, so it is difficult for a swimmer to stay in the water, and the person will drown. The Portuguese man-of-war is easy to spot from afar, thanks to its bright and beautiful colors, so you can avoid encountering it while swimming.

• 7. Aurelia aurita | 40 centimeters

  Aurelia aurita (“eared” jellyfish) is one of the most common types of large jellyfish. The body of Aurelia is almost transparent and reaches 40 centimeters. Numerous thin tentacles have stinging cells that attack prey. Four lobes of the mouth resemble hanging ears, so Aurelia was called “Eared”. This species feeds mainly on plankton and crustaceans. The Aurelia jellyfish is not dangerous to humans, and its bite can only cause burns. In Asian countries, Aurelia is used to prepare exotic dishes.

• 6. Australian Sea Wasp | 45 centimeters

  The Australian sea wasp (Box jellyfish, Fire medusa) is the most venomous inhabitant of the oceans. The main habitat of the species is the coasts of Indonesia and Australia. The dome of the Sea Wasp is 45 centimeters long and is equipped with 60 tentacles that can reach over 3 meters when hunting prey. A marine animal has 24 eyes. It will instantly sting objects that pass in multiple places at the same time. Death from the bites of a venomous jellyfish can occur in a matter of minutes. A swimmer receives a dose that is enough to cause a heart attack and often drowns. It is quite difficult to notice this jellyfish because of its transparency. The Australian wasp feeds on small fish and shrimp.

• 5. Frilly-mounted jellyfish | 60 centimeters

  Rhizostoma (dustbin-lid, barrel jellyfish) is one of the largest marine jellyfish living in the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The weight of a marine inhabitant can reach 10 kg, and the diameter of the dome is 60 centimeters. For humans, Frilly-mounted jellyfish is not dangerous and can only cause mild irritation upon contact with tentacles. The jellyfish – is a "refuge" for fish hiding under the dome from danger. This species feeds only on plankton. Jellyfish are actively used in medicine for the preparation of medicines and in cooking. In Japan, Thailand and China, a variety of dishes are prepared from the Rhizostoma.

• 4. Purple striped jellyfish | 70 centimeters

  The purple striped jellyfish is one of the largest and most graceful jellyfish found in Monterey Bay. The dome of the animal reaches 70 centimeters and has a rich color. The bite of a purple jellyfish can threaten a person with severe burns. This species has not yet been thoroughly studied by science, so there is very little information about the animal.

• 3. Chrysaora jellyfish | 1 meter

  Chrysaora jellyfish (Sea nettle) - the inhabitant of the Pacific Ocean opens the top three largest jellyfish in the world. The body of an adult Chryasora can reach 1 meter, and numerous tentacles - 4 meters. Tentacles torn from the body can exist separately in the depths of the sea for several weeks and sting. Sea nettle stings leave small scars on the skin. The victims experience acute pain and burning, but it does not pose a danger to human health. Chryasora is one of the most beautiful of its kind, which is why the animal is often kept in aquariums. In the ocean, sea nettles feed on plankton and small jellyfish.

• 2. Nomura’s jellyfish | 2 meters

  Bell Nomura (Lion's Mane) is one of the largest species of jellyfish living in the seas of the Far East. The size of Nomura is 2 meters, and its weight can reach 200 kg. Marine animals harm fisheries. A giant hairy ball hits the nets, tangling them. As the fishermen try to free the net, Nomura stings the people violently. In case of an allergic reaction to the venom, death from the bite of a Nomura’s jellyfish is possible. Large-scale accumulations of Nomura are sometimes observed off the coast of the Sea of Japan.

• 1. Hairy Cyanea | 2.3 meters

  Cyanea capillata - ranks first among the giant jellyfish in the world. The body of single Cyanea individuals can reach 2.3 meters, and the length of the tentacles is 37 meters. The main habitat of this species is the seas and oceans. These jellyfish rarely come to the coast and prefer to live at a depth of up to 20 meters. Giant cyanea does not pose a serious danger to humans. Its bite can only cause burns. Large individuals feed on plankton and other jellyfish.