13 Remarkable Species of Jellyfish at the Monterey Aquarium You Must See

Love jellyfish? Check out these 13 amazing jellyfish that you can see in aquariums.

The jellyfish exhibits are always my favorite parts of an aquarium to explore. They’re amazing creatures and best of all so photogenic. On our visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, they had a special “Jellies Experience” which had so many jellyfish  we had never seen in other aquariums. Lucky me! :) Jacob had trouble peeling me away from these guys.

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Last Updated: July 17, 2024

13 Remarkable Species of Jellyfish at the Monterey Aquarium

Note: The jellyfish exhibit is no longer on display at the Monterey Aquarium but they still other amazing exhibits. Plus you’ll still find some of these jellyfish.

See More: Your Guide to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

1. South American Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Plocamia)

Native to: Coastal waters of South America, primarily off the coasts of Peru and Chile.

This jellyfish is known for its long tentacles and distinctive bell with radial stripes. It can deliver a painful sting and often appears in large swarms.

2. Umbrella Jellyfish (Eutonina Indicans)

Native to: Various regions including the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

This small, transparent jellyfish has a bell that resembles an umbrella. It is bioluminescent, emitting light in the dark, and is known for its graceful, umbrella-like shape.

3. Flame Jellyfish (Rhopilema Esculentum)

Native to: Waters around China and Japan.

Recognized for its reddish-orange coloration, the Flame Jellyfish is often harvested for food in Asian cuisines. Its tentacles and oral arms are shorter compared to other species, giving it a unique appearance.

4. Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia labiata)

Native to: Coastal regions of the Pacific Ocean, particularly around North America.

The Moon Jellyfish has a translucent bell with a gentle, pulsating motion. It is known for the four horseshoe-shaped gonads visible through its bell. It is a popular species in public aquariums due to its serene appearance.

Pro Tip: There’s a Moon Jellyfish touch tank at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

5. Upside Down Jellyfish (Cassiopea)

Native to: Shallow, warm coastal waters such as the Caribbean Sea and Indo-Pacific region.

This jellyfish rests upside down on the seafloor, exposing its tentacles to the sunlight. It hosts symbiotic algae in its tissues, which provide energy through photosynthesis. The jellyfish’s tentacles point upward, creating a unique visual.

6. Black Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Achlyos)

Native to: Eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly off the coast of California.

The Black Sea Nettle is striking with its dark, reddish-purple bell and long, white tentacles. It is one of the largest jellyfish, with a bell diameter that can reach up to 1 meter (3 feet) and tentacles extending over 5 meters (16 feet).

7. White Spotted Jellyfish (Mastigias Papua)

Native to: Indo-Pacific region, including waters around Australia and Southeast Asia.

This jellyfish has a distinctive appearance with white spots on its bell and arms. It is relatively harmless to humans and often hosts symbiotic algae, contributing to its energy needs.

8. Pacific Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Fuscescens)

Native to: Eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly along the western coast of North America.

Known for its striking reddish-brown bell and long, flowing tentacles. It can deliver a painful sting and is a common sight in public aquariums due to its dramatic appearance.

9. Crown Jellyfish (Cephea Cephea)

Native to: Tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.

The Crown Jellyfish has a distinctive crown-like structure on top of its bell. It is often bluish-purple and has multiple small, branched tentacles.

10. Crystal Jellyfish (Aequorea Sp)

Native to: Coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean, particularly around North America.

This jellyfish is transparent and bioluminescent, known for producing green fluorescent protein (GFP), which has significant scientific applications. It has a delicate, glass-like appearance.

11. Indonesian Sea Nettle (Chrysaora Chinensis)

Native to: Waters around Indonesia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

This jellyfish has a beautiful translucent bell with reddish or pinkish hues and long, trailing tentacles. It is similar in appearance to other sea nettles but is distinguished by its specific regional habitat.

12. Lion’s Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea Capillata)

Native to: Cold, temperate waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific Oceans.

The Lion’s Mane Jellyfish is the largest known species of jellyfish, with tentacles that can extend over 30 meters (98 feet). Its bell can reach up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) in diameter. It is named for its mane-like tentacles that resemble a lion’s mane.

13. Warty Comb Jelly (Mnemiopsis Leidyi)

Native to: Western Atlantic Ocean, particularly along the east coast of North and South America.

This comb jelly is not a true jellyfish but is known for its cilia, which it uses for locomotion. It has a warty, transparent body and is bioluminescent. It is an invasive species in many parts of the world, impacting local ecosystems.

Best Places to Stay

We’ve stayed in Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea which is a short drive away. In Monterey, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. The rooms really spacious and the facilities were beautiful. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, we stayed at Le Petit Pali. The rooms are really cute and they bring you freshly baked cookies every day. It’s also at a great location walking distance from anything you need in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

For more accommodation options, see the map below.

See More: 15 Amazing Things to Do in Monterey CA

What’s Nearby

• 17-Mile Drive (2.7 mi west, 10 min, map)
• Carmel by the Sea (5.7 mi south, 15 min, map)
• Big Sur (30.1 mi south, 50 min, map)
• San Francisco (120 mi north, 2 hrs, map)
• Napa Valley (154 mi north, 2 hrs 45 min, map)

Planning Checklist

More Resources

• Monterey & Carmel Travel Guide
• Monterey / Carmel / Pacific Grove Map
• California Travel Guide
• Coastal Trails of Northern California

Are you a fan of the jellyfish exhibits? What’s your favorite species of jellyfish?