Phantom Depths
In 2026, a South Atlantic expedition discovered 28 possible new species living around the world's largest known Bathelia candida cold-water coral reef — and documented the elusive phantom jellyfish (Stygiomedusa gigantea), one of fewer than 180 confirmed sightings ever. Click any creature to explore.
One of the largest invertebrates on Earth. Four ribbon-like oral arms trail like a school bus behind it. The 2026 South Atlantic expedition documented one of fewer than 180 confirmed sightings in history.
Depth Range
1,200 – 7,000 m
Size
Bell ≤1 m · arms ≤10 m
Field Notes
~180 total sightings ever recorded
Deep sea · cycles every 6s
The 2026 Expedition
Researchers in the South Atlantic identified 28 possible new species — sea snails, urchins, anemones, and worms — in and around the largest known Bathelia candida cold-water coral reef, a colony nearly the size of Vatican City.