PHANTOM JELLY EXTREMELY RARE...The Stuff of Nightmares

It's hard to restrain a reporter's imagination sometimes - here's author Bryan Kahn Managing editor at Earther

Huge Jellyfish Is Extremely Rare, Nightmare Fuel

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute scientists captured stunning footage of the giant phantom jelly, one of the ocean's most elusive creatures. 

Gizmodo

 

"This post could go a few ways. I could start by saying, wow, the ocean is incredible. Or perhaps I could start by saying I hope you didn’t plan to sleep tonight. That’s because the giant phantom jelly captured by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is a bit of a Rorschach test, one that can inspire awe and terror because, well, I mean look at it.

We can start out with points in favor of the giant phantom jellyfish being a cool-ass jelly. The giant phantom jelly has been seen in the wild about 100 times since it was first discovered by humans in 1899. This is the ninth encounter MBARI researchers have had with it despite doing thousands of dives using a remote-operated vehicle.

That’s an impressive track record of stealth given that it lives in every ocean basin save the Arctic. Of course, this is also cause for terror. For all I know, this jellyfish may drag me off into the deep next time I visit Coney Island.

Wait, sorry I’m getting away from myself. Cool facts, cool facts, cool facts. Right. OK. So this jellyfish also lives in what’s known as the “midnight zone,” a location in the water column that’s not quite the twilight zone or the abyss. . . 

[...]

My apologies, I really don’t know why this is so hard for me. As someone who loves nature, this should be easy. Piece of cake, really. MBARI researchers have observed fish swimming near the jelly. Which, OK, see. That’s nice! The midnight zone offers little cover for sea creatures. The giant phantom jellyfish offers a form of cover, allowing smaller fish to hide from larger predators. In 2003, MBARI’s ROV captured footage of an eel-like fish known as the brotula with, , “its belly against the jelly.” What an incredibly adorable turn of phrase.
We’re on a roll. Let’s see what else we got. Ah yes, the giant phantom jelly’s arms act like a mouth. OK, sorry that’s just straight-up the plot of a horror movie. I’m out.""