In the shadowy depths of the world’s oceans, a seldom-seen giant drifts gracefully through the water: the giant phantom jelly (Stygiomedusa gigantea). With a bell measuring up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) across and four ribbon-like arms extending as long as 33 feet (10 meters),
this enigmatic creature is among the largest invertebrate predators known to science. First described in 1910, the giant phantom jelly has been observed only about 120 times since its discovery, primarily due to its deep-sea habitat, which can reach depths of 22,000 feet (6,700 meters).
Unlike many jellyfish that rely on stinging tentacles to capture prey, this species employs a unique hunting strategy: it uses its expansive, velvety arms to envelop and trap plankton and small fish, guiding them into its mouth.
Adding to its mystique, the giant phantom jelly exhibits viviparity—a rare trait among jellyfish—giving birth to live young that develop within the mother’s bell before swimming out through her mouth.
Recent submersible expeditions in Antarctic waters have provided rare glimpses of this elusive giant, capturing footage of its ethereal presence at depths between 260 and 920 feet (80 to 280 meters).
These observations not only shed light on the distribution and behavior of the giant phantom jelly but also underscore the vast mysteries that continue to dwell beneath the ocean’s surface.
