Chrysaora melanaster has a more or less saucer-shaped appearance. The exumbrella is golden-yellow, displaying 32 radiating streaks in reddish or brownish tones. Additionally, there are 16 radiating dark-brown, almost black streaks on the subumbrella, positioned below the septa between the stomach pouches. The septa between the stomach pouches are straight. The rhopalar pouches in the middle portion are somewhat broader, while those in the marginal portion are considerably narrower than the tentacular pouches. The bell margin features dark-brown lappets of nearly equal size and shape.