Fangtooth

Pigbutt worm

Chaetopterus pugaporcinus

The Pigbutt worm or the flying buttocks of the sea is spotted floating between 965 m to 1300 m in the deep ocean. It is actually a polychaete (polly-keet) worm species that burrows in the ground as an adult, and floats around the ocean as a baby. The worm feeds itself : by creating a balloon of mucus; collecting particles on the mucus; and then consuming the particles. It is the rarest and thickest worm in the deep ocean, for only ten have been spotted.  

Photocredit: https://roaring.earth/pigbutt-worm/

Giant Isopod

Bathynomus kensleyi

The Giant Isopod is an unsettling deep sea creature that crawls along the ocean floor scavenging for animal remains and detritus. These invertebrates are part of phenomenon known as abyssal gigantism, which is the tendency for  deep-sea dwelling invertebrates to be larger than their shallower-water counter parts. The Giant Isopod is found between 310m to 2140m in the ocean. 

Photo credit

https://seatrench.tumblr.com/post/615873390014791680/giant-isopod-bathynomus-sp-source

https://alchetron.com/Giant-isopod

An amazing glowing ctenophore!

Bloody-belly comb jelly

Lampocteis cruentiventer

The Bloody-belly is a 16 cm ctenophore that is found at depths 700 m to 1200m. It is crimson red in color and appears black in the deep ocean. However, the jelly has the ability to emit a different color. Furthermore, it uses highly iridescent ctenes to propel through the water. 

Photo credit:  https://laughingsquid.com/bloody-belly-comb-jelly/

https://www.reddit.com/r/deepseacreatures/comments/2j1717/bloodbelly_comb_jelly_lampocteis_cruentiventer/

Lav Polyp

leuckartiara octona

The Lav Polypo is a jelly that comes in a variety of colors and shapes; it dwells about 200m in the deep ocean. The red mass inside its translucent bell is the jelly’s reproductive organs. Furthermore, it uses its dull, yellow tentacles can catch unsuspecting prey. 

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/65935582019848580/

https://www.petjellyfish.co.uk/shop/live-jellyfish/leuckartiara-octona

Fanfin Seadevil

Caulophyyne jordani

The Fanfin Seadevil is an ugly, deep fish that is covered in gnarled skin and long sensory filaments. The sensory filaments allow this species of anglerfish to detect movement in the water; this helps the Fanfin find and lure its prey. Furthermore, this deformed monstrosity can be found floating between 700m to 3000m in the ocean. 

Photo credit:   https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/29/science/anglerfish-bioluminescence-deep-sea.html

http://www.robotspacebrain.com/alien-creatures-of-the-mariana-trench/

Atolla Jelly

Atolla wyvillei

The Atolla Jelly is a fiery, red jellyfish that has an extraordinary display of bioluminescence. When the jelly is attacked, it uses bioluminescence to produce thousands of vibrant, blue flashes; the blue flashes act as an alarm, which draws in bigger predators and warns prey. The jelly can be found at depths between 600 m to 1500m, and it also has a long  hypertrophied tentacle that aids in reproduction. 

Photo credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atolla_jellyfish

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atolla_jellyfish

Jewel Squid

Histioteuthis heteropsis

The Jewel Squid is covered in color-changing photophores that resemble sparkling gem stones. They also have a light-red coloration and are about 20 cm in length. They display a unique behavioral adaptation called diel migration. During the day, they stay at depths around 400-1200 m, and then surface during night (0-400m). This behavioral pattern is designed maximize feeding at night, and avoid predators during the day. The primary predator of the Jewel Squid is the Sperm Whale.    

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/722827808920240115/

https://twitter.com/theoctonation/status/1168516522270253056

Pyrocystis fusiformis is a common plankton that produces bioluminescence. Not exactly a marine animal, but an amazing organism that produces bioluminescence. So, I thought it was worth sharing on this page. 

Pyrocystis fusiformis

Pyrocystis Fusiformis is a marine dinoflagellate that is non-motile and has a short life cycle (5-7 days). When disturbed, the dinoflagellate displays vibrant, blue bioluminescence. The bioluminescence is design to startle grazers, or cause them to glow, making them more vulnerable to predators. During the day, it uses photosynthesis to produce its own food, and it produce bioluminescence at night. Furthermore, it fixes carbon from the ocean and produces oxygen for the marine animals that live there. All in all, I find this diamond shaped plankton to be unique and beautiful.

Photo credit: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-bioluminescence-of-pyrocystis-fusiformis-gerd-guentherscience-photo-library.html

https://exploringtheinvisible.com/2013/11/21/c-mould-new-acquisition-pyrocystis-fusiformis/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/13084997@N03/32823053106

Piglet Squid

Helicocranchia pfefferi

The Piglet Squid is a very small and delicate, transparent squid. It is found at depths between 400 to 1000 m. It has an unique siphon that is used for jet propulsion and it resembles a pig muzzle. The young piglet squids tend to live close to the surface, and steadily migrates downward as they grow. This behavior is called ontogenetic migration.  

Photo credit: http://photo.cctv.com/2019/07/23/PHOAKMEBh8xJRaHXEUIGx8kE190723.xml

https://www.ourbreathingplanet.com/banded-piglet-squid/

Cigar Comb Jelly

beroe forskalii

The Cigar Comb Jelly is a gelatinous ctenophore that is marveled by many due to its sparkling bioluminescence. It tends to elegantly float around 120 m in the ocean. It uses unique, hair-like structures called ctens to move horizontally in the ocean. It also swims in a spiral pattern before consuming zooplankton in the ocean.

Photo credit: https://www.wrobelphoto.com/gelatinouszooplankton/h25347306

https://www.flickr.com/photos/a_migotto/27227530815