Stunning New Footage Shows Mysterious Giant Deep-Sea ‘Phantom’ Jelly As Never Seen Before

The giant phantom jelly (Stygiomedusa gigantea) has an unusual appearance and remarkable size, and it also exhibits a unique life history. Most jellies alternate between a swimming stage (called a medusa) and an attached stage (called a polyp or hydroid). But female giant phantom jellies brood their young in pouches beneath that broad bell and give birth to their young live. Image: © 2007 MBARI