Giant Phantom Jellyfish: The Deep-Sea Monster Spotted Only 118 Times in 110 Years

Search Volume Surge

🇺🇸 United States: 20K+ searches
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Mysterious Creature Captured off Argentina's Coast

In early 2026, scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute successfully captured footage of an extremely rare giant phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea) off the coast of Argentina. This remarkable video was captured at approximately 820 feet (about 250 meters) below the surface and has attracted significant global attention.

Why Are People Searching for This?

The massive surge in searches for the giant phantom jellyfish is due to rare footage released by the Schmidt Ocean Institute on social media on January 2, 2026. This video was captured during an Argentine-led scientific expedition when the remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV SuBastian) was exploring the walls of the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon. After the footage was released, major media outlets worldwide reported on it through early February, causing search volumes to skyrocket.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute live streams all ROV expeditions on their YouTube channel, allowing the general public to watch deep-sea exploration in real time. This discovery became a major topic as tens of thousands of viewers watched it live.

As Big as a School Bus

The giant phantom jellyfish lives up to its name with its enormous size. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), this jellyfish's bell can reach a diameter of 3.3 feet (about 1 meter), and its arms can grow up to 33 feet (about 10 meters) long—equivalent to the length of a school bus.

Only 118 Sightings in 110 Years

The giant phantom jellyfish was first discovered in 1899, but wasn't officially classified as a species until 1959. It's been spotted only 118 times over the past 110 years, making it an extremely rare creature. MBARI's remotely operated vehicles have encountered this jellyfish only 9 times out of thousands of dives.

The reason this jellyfish is spotted so rarely is because it primarily inhabits the "midnight zone" of the deep sea, between depths of 3,300 to 13,100 feet (approximately 1,000 to 4,000 meters). It has been found at depths as great as 21,900 feet (approximately 6,665 meters).

A Non-Stinging Predator

Unlike most jellyfish, the giant phantom jellyfish doesn't have stinging tentacles. Instead, it uses four long, ribbon-like arms to capture prey like a net. These arms wrap around plankton and small fish and transport them to its mouth.

In recent footage, a small blue fish was captured swimming around the jellyfish's long tentacles—a scene that would have been impossible with a typical jellyfish encounter.

Secrets of Symbiotic Relationships

Scientists have discovered a unique symbiotic relationship between the giant phantom jellyfish and the brotula fish (Thalassobathia pelagica). This deep-sea fish receives food and shelter under the jellyfish's bell, and in return is believed to remove parasites from the jellyfish. Research shows that even when separated, the two species reunite.

A Ghostly Drifter

Another reason for the "phantom" name is the way this jellyfish moves. As it drifts through the water, its long tentacles fold like cloth, creating a ghostly appearance. Its dark reddish-brown body is nearly invisible in the dark depths, making it look like a ghost floating through the deep sea.

Some observers have mentioned that the giant phantom jellyfish resembles Darth Vader from Star Wars. However, despite its intimidating appearance, this jellyfish is completely harmless.

Distributed Across Global Oceans

The giant phantom jellyfish is known to inhabit all the world's oceans except the Arctic Ocean. It has recently been spotted in Antarctic Peninsula waters as well, with more photos being captured thanks to the increase in private submersibles on tourist expedition ships.

Interestingly, according to the BBC, tourists have spotted this jellyfish more often than scientists. Many videos exist that were filmed on cell phones by tourists using high-end submersibles on Antarctic cruises.

Other Discoveries from the Argentina Expedition

During this expedition, scientists discovered 28 new marine species in addition to the giant phantom jellyfish, and recorded what is believed to be the world's largest Bathelia candida coral reef.

Dr. Melissa Fernández Severini from Argentina's National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) stated, "We have collected an unprecedented amount of chemical, physical, and biological samples that will be used for years to come to understand the connectivity of our oceans."

Watch the Giant Phantom Jellyfish in Action

If you want to see the mysterious appearance of the giant phantom jellyfish for yourself, visit these channels:

Recommended YouTube Channels

Schmidt Ocean Institute Official YouTube Channel: Live streams and permanently archives all ROV expedition footage
MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) YouTube Channel: Provides footage of the giant phantom jellyfish filmed at 3,200 feet depth in Monterey Bay

The Schmidt Ocean Institute operates the 110-meter research vessel R/V Falkor (too) and operates on the principle of sharing all explorations with the general public. The ship has its own fiber optic backbone network and satellite connection, enabling real-time transmission of video from depths of 4,000 meters in the deep sea.

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