Stock Photo - By early summer the lion´s mane jellyfish Cyanea capillata appears often in considerable numbers along the west coast of Scotland It is the largest jellyfish in the world Frequently as shown in this image a group of juvenile fishes whiting, haddock or horse mackerel will use the tentacles and underside of the bell as a place of refuge The fishes appear to be immune to the sting of this jellyfish unlike many other species which would be quickly trapped and consumed The lion´s mane has a particularly severe sting which in the worst cases may cause respiratory and heart problems in humans Specimens washed up on the beach should not be handled as their stings can be triggered even after the animal is dead To 2 m diameter but typically only 500 mm with tentacles extending to 5 m and sometimes longer in the larger specimens N Atlantic and N Pacific