Lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cyanea capillata
- Common name
- Lion's mane jellyfish
- Category
- Cnidarians
- Family
- Cyaneidae
- Genus
- Cyanea
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- pelagic, open-water
- Behaviours
- pelagic, predator, venomous
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic
Description
Cyanea capillata can reach 2 m bell diameter and 30 m tentacles, among the world's largest jellyfish. Reddish-brown to yellow-orange color, folded bell. Eight very dense tentacle groups falling like a mane. Lives in open water from the Arctic to the Channel and North Atlantic. Very painful sting but rarely dangerous to adult humans. Feeds on plankton, small fish and other jellyfish. Emblematic species cited in Sherlock Holmes.
Photo of Lion's mane jellyfish
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Lion's mane jellyfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Lion's mane jellyfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Lion's mane jellyfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic.
Similar species
- Plumularia setacea - Feathery hydroid
- Cassiopea andromeda - Upside-down jellyfish
- Condylactis gigantea - Giant Caribbean anemone
- Bartholomea annulata - Corkscrew anemone
- Palythoa caribaeorum - Caribbean mat zoanthid
- Zoanthus sociatus - Green sea mat
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 135301)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2264478)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia