An underwater camera, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Deep Discoverer, caught sight of an unusual jellyfish that scientists are calling a “psychedelic medusa.”
The jelly was spotted off the coast of Puerto Rico, on Nov. 8.
Hovering over the seafloor, the jellyfish, officially known as Rhopalonematid jelly Crossota millsae, has tentacles extending 360 degrees, ready to zap unwary prey.
Scientists are saying this particular jellyfish is a male.
The rare sighting is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Oceano Profundo 2018 exploration. The ship sends ROVs down as far as 3,600 feet to help scientists discover and understand the deepest and darkest reaches of the ocean.
The psychedelic jellyfish was spotted in the waters south of La Parguera, at a depth of 3,300 feet.
Scientists said it’s not the first time they’ve discovered specimens like this. Known from the Atlantic as well as the Pacific, similar types of jellies have been found close to the seafloor, suggesting a link between the benthic zone—the ecological lowest level of a body of water—and the water column.