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Black-devil anglerfish

Melanoncetus johnsoni

The Black-devil anglerfish is a skilled predator that lurks in the darkness. It uses a bioluminescent organ, a top its head, to lure unsuspecting prey into its jaws. Even though these fish are terrifying to look at, they are about the size of a grape fruit. To save energy, they remain immobile in the water, yet they can detect even the slightest vibrations. Since finding a mate is hard at this depth, male fish will attach themselves to a female and slowly dissolve into her tissue; so she is able to use the sperm the male provides at any time. In addition, this is the fish that tried to eat Marlin and Dory in “Finding Nemo.”

Photo credit: https://underthevastblueseas.tumblr.com/post/40882487364/this-female-black-devil-anglerfish-with-her-flabby

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/574631233709001328/

Vampire Squid

Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Even though the Vampire Squid is named after a notorious monster, this gentle creature does not live up to its name. It is only a foot long and occupies depths between 650m to 1500m in the deep ocean. Unlike other squids, it has reduced musculature and collects particles in the water column. However, it is capable of huge bursts of speeds. It uses bioluminescence to confuse both predators. 

Photo credit: https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/vampire-squid-hell

Googly-eyed glass squid

Teuthowenia pellucida

The Googly eyed squid is a rare oddity that is found in the southern hemisphere. It has a large, spherical head that is filled with water and teeny, tiny tentacles that help propel it through the water. If it comes across a predator, it deflates its head and draws its tentacles into its cavity. On the other hand, it may also fill the cavity with water to increase its size, and intimidate the predator. If all fails, it will ink and try to escape through the darkness. Furthermore, baby squids can be found at the surface (0-600m); then slowly migrate downwards as they mature into adults (1600-2500m). 

Photo credit: http://animaladay.blogspot.com/2011/07/googly-eyed-glass-squid.html

https://faunafabula.tumblr.com/post/5999675353/googly-eyed-glass-squid-teuthowenia-pellucida

Dear ocean enthusiast and supporters,

Hi everyone, thank you for supporting my blog. I have gained over 500 followers and that is worth celebrating. I will try my best to post every day some of the amazing creatures that live in the deep ocean. Have a great night!

Basket Star

Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae

The Basket Star is a strange yet elegant creature that lives in the deep ocean. It resembles a flesh white ball with gnarled and swirling branches. It thrives in locations with strong currents. Its numerous arms move slowly and wrap around prey. They are one of my favorite animals from the Echinodermata phylum.  

Photo credit

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00227-005-0032-3

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

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

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/

Update

Hi everyone, I apologize for the inconsistent posting. I’ve been studying for my Chemistry Praxis. :( There will be more to come soon !

Spookfish

Winteria telescopa

The Spookfish’s eyes act as a telescope and are designed to maximize light in the deep ocean. Its eyes contain rod cells that help distinguish between ambient light and bioluminescent light. This adaptation helps avoid predators and catch prey.  

Picture Credit: https://www.natureplprints.com/deep-sea/deep-sea-fish-winteria-telescopa-15230734.html

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