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Rare Giant Phantom Jellyfish Filmed Off Argentina During Deep-Sea Survey

Scientists are analyzing samples from a voyage that flagged suspected new species alongside vulnerable reef habitats.

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ROV pilots filmed this glass squid while exploring the Colorado-Rawson submarine canyon off the coast of Argentina.
A team of researchers documenting the deep sea off the coast of Argentina captured rare footage of a jellyfish “that can grow as long as a school bus,” and said they may have discovered dozens of new species in a recent expedition.

Overview

  • ROV SuBastian recorded Stygiomedusa gigantea at roughly 250 meters on the Colorado–Rawson submarine canyon wall, with juvenile fish circling its bell.
  • The species lacks stinging tentacles, using four oral arms that can extend about 10 meters as its bell grows to about 1 meter in diameter.
  • Schmidt Ocean Institute released the footage and images on Feb. 3, highlighting an Argentine-led expedition aboard the R/V Falkor (too).
  • The mission documented 28 suspected new species and the largest known Bathelia candida coral reef, covering about 0.4 square kilometers.
  • Researchers also reported Argentina’s first deep-water whalefall at about 3,890 meters and found debris including fishing gear, plastic, and a Korean-labeled VHS tape.