Jellyfish are among the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Most jellyfish inhabit the ocean, with only a few species living in freshwater environments. Are you curious about which jellyfish are the most enchanting and beautiful in the world? Next, we will introduce you to ten of the most magnificent and beautiful jellyfish in the world: the egg yolk jellyfish, the silver coin jellyfish, the alarm jellyfish, the flower cap jellyfish, the purple sea nettle jellyfish, the black star sea nettle jellyfish, the bioluminescent jellyfish, the peach blossom jellyfish, the Palau golden non-toxic jellyfish, and the sea nettle jellyfish.
1. Egg Yolk Jellyfish
Egg yolk jellyfish are quite large, with a bell diameter typically around 35 centimeters, and the largest can even reach 50 centimeters. Their bell-shaped bodies are disc-shaped, and their internal gonads or other gastric sacs are colored, making the central raised golden-red or orange-red patch appear visible beneath their transparent exterior. This visual effect makes them look like a freshly fried egg, extremely beautiful and captivating. Egg yolk jellyfish are one of the most common jellyfish in the Mediterranean region, mainly distributed in the Aegean and Adriatic Seas.
2. Silver Coin Jellyfish
The central, round body of the silver coin jellyfish is called a "float sac," shaped like a tiny disc. It is hard, lightweight, and slightly transparent, resembling a shimmering silver coin, hence its name. These jellyfish live in warm waters and, lacking the ability to swim, drift with the currents. In summer, silver coin jellyfish often appear in groups, pushed ashore by the currents, sometimes even washing ashore on beaches, creating a magical and beautiful spectacle.
3. Alarm Jellyfish
Alarm jellyfish are bioluminescent jellyfish that typically inhabit the deep sea at depths of 700 meters or more. These jellyfish are incredibly captivating, possessing the ability to display dazzling colors in the ocean. Some creatures utilize this bioluminescent property to "sound the alarm" and seek help. When captured by predators, these jellyfish release bright light signals in an attempt to attract the attention of larger, more ferocious predators, causing the current predator to abandon its prey and flee.
4. Flower jellyfish
The flower cap jellyfish is one of the few "large" jellyfish in the class Hydrozoa, with its bell reaching up to 18 centimeters in diameter, a true giant compared to other hydrojellyfish that are only one or two centimeters in size. Its bell surface is covered with irregularly distributed black stripes, each ending in a row of short tentacles. The flower cap jellyfish is one of the few hydrojellyfish species with potent venom; its sting can cause excruciating pain. Although there are no reports of fatalities from this jellyfish, there have been cases of shock following a sting. Therefore, if you encounter this beautiful jellyfish in the wild, it is best to stay away and avoid contact.
5. Purple sea nettle jellyfish
The purple sea nettle jellyfish, also known as the colorful golden jellyfish, has a purple-striped bell and purple tentacles, with a bell diameter that can reach 30 centimeters or even larger. Jellyfish are invertebrates, belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. The purple sea nettle jellyfish has four oral tentacles and eight marginal tentacles, and its purple stripes on its back are particularly striking. As an important large planktonic organism in the ocean, the purple sea nettle jellyfish usually lives in symbiosis with a type of hermit crab.
6. Black Star Sea Nettle Jellyfish
The black-spotted sea nettle jellyfish can reach a maximum diameter of 30 centimeters. Its scientific name comes from the Greek words "melas" and "aster," meaning black and star, respectively. This jellyfish prefers to drift in surface waters, and its tentacles can reach up to 4 meters in length. The black-spotted sea nettle jellyfish gets its name from its resemblance to a giant black star. Its bell is golden yellow, similar to the Pacific sea nettle, but smaller and with a more delicate body structure.
7. Bioluminescent jellyfish
The bioluminescent jellyfish is a type of jellyfish that emits light. At night, people can observe the vibrant fluorescence emitted by these creatures in the southern East China Sea and the South China Sea, including the Xisha Islands; it is a truly beautiful and captivating sight. The bioluminescent jellyfish is approximately 10 centimeters long. Its bell is hemispherical, with a diameter of about 5 to 7 centimeters. The edge of the bell has 16 drooping petals and 8 slender, pink tentacles, which can reach several feet in length. Below the bell are drooping oral arms.
8. Freshwater jellyfish
The freshwater jellyfish (Cremastra appendiculata) is a genus of jellyfish belonging to the family Phyllotyphoridae. It is a small jellyfish found in freshwater environments and is known as the "giant panda of the water," and is listed as a globally endangered species. Also called "peach blossom fish" or "parachute fish," these jellyfish live in temperate freshwater and are more commonly seen during the peach blossom season, hence their name. These jellyfish are completely transparent, floating lightly in the water like tiny, transparent umbrellas. They lack a distinct head and tail, are round, crystal clear, and have a soft, silky texture. Their bodies are covered with tentacles, with five peach petal-shaped tentacles growing from the center.
9. Palau Golden Non-toxic Jellyfish
The Palauan golden jellyfish is considered the only non-stinging jellyfish species in the world. In Palau's Jellyfish Lake, these non-stinging golden jellyfish rise in droves from the lakebed to the surface under the afternoon sun to begin photosynthesis. Illuminated by the sunlight, the surface of the water is covered with these jellyfish, shimmering with golden light, a dazzling and spectacular sight. They resemble a vibrant sea of flowers, radiant and captivating, filling one with joy. When you observe these jellyfish up close, they appear like living flowers, displaying their crystal-clear forms in the water, dancing lightly, elegantly and gracefully.
10. Sea nettle jellyfish
Sea nettle jellyfish are commonly found in the Chesapeake Bay area off the east coast of the United States. Besides preying on plankton and crabs, they also prey on other jellyfish. These jellyfish are venomous, using venom from stinging cells on their bodies to paralyze passing small fish and other creatures in order to capture their prey. If a human accidentally touches them, they may experience severe pain, but fortunately, they rarely pose a fatal threat to humans.
The list of the world's most beautiful jellyfish is compiled from various websites. It is organized and recommended based on the physical characteristics and colors of the jellyfish, and ranked according to their online popularity and fame. The ranking is for reference only. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment/criticize at the end.
