Ghostly Giant Phantom Jelly Surprises Scientists in the Midnight Zone

Deep in the world’s darkest ocean waters, an immense jelly-like predator roams in near silence. Its bell can measure over 3 feet across, and its four lace-like arms stretch up to 33 feet.

Scientists call it the giant phantom jelly, or *Stygiomedusa gigantea*, and glimpses of this colossal creature are exceptionally rare. A recent sighting off Costa Rica has reignited discussions about this elusive animal, as researchers used a remote-operated vehicle to capture remarkable footage in the so-called “midnight zone.”

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The giant phantom jelly’s bell measures over three feet across.

The Midnight Zone Behemoth

The midnight zone extends from around 3,300 to 13,100 feet below the surface, where sunlight does not reach. This area is a shadowy realm filled with curious life-forms that thrive in perpetual darkness. Some giant phantom jellies have even been spotted at depths of 22,000 feet. Their huge, velvety bells and ribbon-like arms give them a ghostly appearance. As Mashable reports, these arms do not sting. They enfold and trap prey such as plankton and small fish instead.

Scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute have reassured the public that there is “no need to fear this awesome and delicate ghostly giant.”

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This elusive predator lives in the ocean’s lightless midnight zone.

A Global Enigma

Experts have sighted the giant phantom jelly in almost every ocean, with the notable exception of the Arctic. National Geographic has noted sightings in Antarctic waters, suggesting the species is more widespread than once believed. Despite this, few solid records exist.

Since the first specimen was collected in 1899, only around 120 sightings have been confirmed. As Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute points out, “even now, scientists still know very little about this animal.”

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This jelly can emit a faint red bioluminescent glow.

One Meter Across And Lacking Tentacles

*Stygiomedusa gigantea* does not rely on stinging tentacles. Instead, its four arms perform a sweeping motion to ensnare smaller marine animals. The bell can approach 3.3 feet in diameter, like a gently billowing cape in the dark water. The arms themselves can extend to about 33 feet, undulating slowly in search of food. According to Forbes, these visual displays appear similar to a “deep-sea modern dancer,” mesmerizing in their slow and rhythmic flow.

An Unusual Path To Motherhood

The giant phantom jelly stands out among its jelly relatives by bearing live young. Speaking to Live Science, researchers described how the young can detach inside the parent’s hood and exit through the mother’s mouth.

Observers have also noted a faint, reddish glow produced by natural chemical reactions. This glow seems to be very subtle, possibly helping the jelly remain concealed from predators in the dark.

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Uniquely, the giant phantom jelly gives birth to live young via its mouth.

Shelter For Other Creatures

Despite its size, the giant phantom jelly is not a beast of nightmares. Its massive arms can act as safe havens for certain smaller fish seeking protection. During an expedition in the Gulf of California, teams documented a pelagic brotula weaving in and out of the jelly’s trailing arms, MBARI reports. These waters do not offer many hiding places, so the brotula’s behavior suggests it gains a defensive advantage from this drifting guardian. Scientists suspect it also helps rid the jelly of parasites, forming a useful partnership.

More Journeys Into The Deep

Ongoing expeditions continue to reveal new chapters of life in the ocean’s depths. Research vessels equipped with ROVs are being prepared to venture far into the bathypelagic zone, where the pressure is immense and the light is nearly nonexistent.

As researchers from multiple organizations strive to learn more about creatures like the giant phantom jelly, each discovery underscores the ocean’s biodiversity and the need to understand what resides beyond the reach of daylight. These findings may also shape how we protect these habitats, especially as industry considers deeper parts of the ocean for potential resources.

In the midnight zone, wonders like the giant phantom jelly drift in the blackness. Their world remains one of the least understood habitats on Earth. That makes every sighting a gateway to new insights about the lives of these near-mythical marine giants.