Context

A recent scientific expedition off the coast of Argentina has captured rare and extraordinary footage of the giant phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea), a species seldom observed alive in its natural habitat. The discovery was made during an Argentina-led deep-sea mission aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel R/V Falkor (too). The expedition explored marine ecosystems along the continental shelf, stretching from Buenos Aires to Tierra del Fuego. 

About the Giant Phantom Jellyfish

The giant phantom jellyfish is an elusive and mysterious deep-sea species that is rarely encountered by humans. It is known for its impressive size, with a bell measuring up to one metre in diameter and long, ribbon-like oral arms extending up to ten metres.

Unlike many jellyfish species, it lacks stinging tentacles. Instead, it captures prey, such as plankton and small fish using its large oral arms. Scientists often describe its appearance as ghostly, owing both to its infrequent sightings and its habitat in the ocean’s “midnight zone,” where sunlight does not penetrate.

Conclusion

The sighting of the giant phantom jellyfish off Argentina’s coast provides a rare glimpse into the largely unexplored depths of the ocean and underscores how much remains to be discovered beneath the waves.

The mission’s findings, ranging from potential new species to extensive coral systems highlight the ecological complexity of deep-sea environments and reinforce their growing global scientific importance.