Head to head
Egg Yolk Jelly vs Lion's Mane Jellyfish
Both are sizeable jellyfish that shelter young fish among their tentacles, but one is a specialised jellyfish-eating predator while the other holds a genuine world record.
| Egg Yolk Jelly | Lion's Mane Jellyfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phacellophora camtschatica | Cyanea capillata |
| Size | Considerably large, but not the largest | The largest jellyfish in the world |
| Distinguishing feature | Yellow, fried-egg appearance | Tentacles recorded trailing up to 37 metres |
| Diet | Feeds heavily on other jellyfish | Feeds on zooplankton, small fish, and other jellyfish |
| Sting severity | Generally mild for humans | Painful but rarely dangerous |
| Hitchhikers | Shelters small crabs and juvenile fish | Shelters juvenile fish such as the prowfish |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, polar |
Egg Yolk Jelly vs Lion's Mane Jellyfish: common questions
Which one is the largest jellyfish in the world?
The lion's mane jellyfish holds this record, with a bell that can reach about two metres across and tentacles recorded trailing up to 37 metres, far exceeding the egg yolk jelly's size.
Which one has a milder sting for humans?
The egg yolk jelly has the milder sting, generally causing only minor irritation, while the lion's mane jellyfish delivers a more painful sting, though still rarely dangerous to healthy adults.
Do both jellyfish shelter young fish among their tentacles?
Yes, both provide this kind of shelter, with the egg yolk jelly hosting small crabs and juvenile fish and the lion's mane sheltering juvenile fish such as the prowfish, both largely unharmed by the stinging tentacles around them.