Is the Portuguese man o' war a jellyfish?

No. It superficially resembles a jellyfish but is a siphonophore, a colonial organism made of many specialized zooids.

How long can its tentacles be?

Its tentacles can hang up to about 30 m (100 ft) below the float.

It is found on the surface of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans.

Its cnidocytes are venomous and can deliver a sting that in some cases affects humans.

What moves it across the water?

A sail on the pneumatophore propels it; the sail may be left- or right-handed depending on wind direction.

Is there more than one species?

Although typically considered the only species in its genus, genetic evidence suggests there may be more.

How are all parts of the colony related?

All zooids in a single specimen are genetically identical.

Its tentacles capture prey using venomous cnidocytes; they can kill fish and crustaceans.

Where to See Portuguese Man o'War While Diving

The Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis) is a marine hydrozoan classified as a siphonophore rather than a true jellyfish. It is a colonial organism composed of many specialized, genetically identical zooids that function together as one unit. A gas-filled bladder called the pneumatophore provides buoyancy and supports a sail that propels the colony across the water surface. Tentacles containing venomous cnidocytes hang below the float and can reach lengths up to 30 m (100 ft). The species is part of the neuston and is found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Man o' wars sometimes occur in groups as large as 1,000 individuals. Although typically treated as the sole species in its genus and family, genetic evidence suggests there may be additional distinct lineages.

Part of the neuston, it floats at the water surface; a sail on the pneumatophore propels it and can cause colonies to be wind-driven, sometimes forming groups up to about 1,000 individuals.

Tentacles bear venomous cnidocytes used to capture prey; recorded prey types include fish and crustaceans.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Derawan Islands, Murcia: Cabo de Palos and Islas Hormigas, Nusa Penida and countries such as Kuwait, Indonesia, Cabo Verde for divers building trips around portuguese man o'wars.