Pram Bug

Squarenose Helmetfish

Scopelogadus beanii

The Squarenose Helmetfish is found between 800m to 4000m in the ocean. It received this unique name due to its scales reminding scientists of an armored helmet worn by medieval knights. It also has unusual holes around its face, and the white strands covering its face are sensory canals. 

Photo credit: https://www.vistaalmar.es/especies-marinas/peces-extranos/449-que-peces-mas-extranos.html

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

Glowing sucker octopus

Stauroteuthis syrtensis

The Glowing Sucker Octopus can be found at 2500 m in the deep ocean. This unique creature has two fins that look similar to elephant ears. They move elegantly through the water by moving these fins and contracting their mantle. Evidence of this creature has only been spotted in the Atlantic Ocean.

Photo credit: https://octolab.tv/species/glowing-sucker-octopus/

https://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/glowing-sucker-octopus/

Pyrodinium bahamense

Pyrodinium bahamense is a tropical species of dinoflagellates  that is found primarily in Atlantic Ocean waters. It prefers salinity around 20 psu and blooms when there are large amounts of nitrogen in the water. The dinoflagellate glows bright blue when agitated by motion. Furthermore, even though this plankton species is beautiful to look at, it causes seafood toxicity. 

Photo credit: https://alchetron.com/Pyrodinium-bahamense

https://wonderchews.com/bodies-of-light/

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

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/

Cockatoo Squid

Galiteuthis phyllura

The Cockatoo squid is a highly-specialized oddity of the deep ocean and found at depths between 300 to 1400 m. It is completely transparent, except for its eyes. It also has bioluminescent photophores that are directed downward: this makes it difficult for deep sea predators to see the Cockatoo Squid. It was named after the Cockatoo because it holds its tentacles above its head, resembling the bird. The Cockatoo squid can also get fairly large with adults reaching lengths of 2.7 meters (over 6 ft.) 

Photocredit: https://www.americanscientist.org/article/at-home-in-the-dark

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/28710516347382519/

Gulper Eel

Saccopharynx sp.

The  Gulper Eel is known for its massive jaws, which are capable of swallowing prey whole. It’s stomach is also able to expand twice its size. It is found only in the deep see about 2000 to 3000 meters in depth. 

Photo credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRO0IjSoHGA

https://marinebiochemistrygc2018.weebly.com/deep-sea-adaptations

Sea sparkle is a common, bioluminescent plankton. Even though its not an animal, it is worth sharing. 

Sea sparkle

Noctiluca scintillans

Sea sparkle is a bioluminescent dinoflagellate that blooms in many coastal waters. Sea sparkle feeds on plankton, diatoms, fish eggs, and other dinoflagellates.  It also has a flagellum, or tiny tail, that helps it move around in the water. Even though sea sparkle is beautiful to witness at night, it is hazardous to other marine species and resembles a reddish-pink film during the day. 

Photo credit: 

https://alexandrathemb.tumblr.com/post/49814932878/noctilucas-scintillans-a-bioluminescent

https://thevelv.blogspot.com/2015/07/noctiluca-scintillans.html

Black Medusa

Vampyrocrossota childressi

The Black Medusa is an inky, black hydrozoan that absorbs all light that hits its tiny body. It has a translucent gelatin and a black umbrella; it is also only 1.5 cm in size. Moreover, it is found at depths between 600m to 1500m, and it spends its entire life floating in the deep ocean. 

Photo credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488148047080475827/