Pyrocystis Fusiformis Is a Common Plankton That Produces Bioluminescence. Not Exactly A Marine Animal,

Black Dragonfish

Idiacanthus atlanticus

The Black Dragonfish are needle-like fish that migrate between 500m and 2000m in the deep ocean. Females are black with 6 stripes and lack a barbel, pelvic fins, and sharp teeth. Males, on the other hand, are dark brown and have a barbel, which is the light producing structure on its chin. Furthermore, it uses bioluminescence to detect prey instead of lure prey.

Photo credit: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-learn-secrets-from-ultra-black-skin-that-allows-deep-sea-fish-to-lurk-unseen/

https://steemit.com/life/@munnashah/the-most-terrible-and-surprising-7-animals-of-the-sea

https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/995601-thalassophobia

Giant Bell Jelly

Scrippsia pacifica

The Giant Belly Jelly has 256 tentacles attached to a gelatinous bell-shaped base. Like most cnidarians, the Giant Belly Jelly uses specialized stinging cells called nematocysts to catch its prey. When fish and other prey swim into its tentacles, the sensory projection on the cnidocyte (cell that holds the nematocysts) is activated. Then the nematocysts and barb are released, hitting the vulnerable prey and releasing a toxin into the prey’s body. The Giant Bell Jelly is found at 400 m in the ocean. It is related to the jellyfish, but it is categorized as a Hydrozoa (similar to the Portuguese- man-o-war)

https://vimeo.com/42551565

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/467107792572034837/

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ivytech-bio1-1/chapter/phylum-cnidaria/

Threadfin Snailfish

Careproctus longifilis

The Threadfin Snailfish resembles a prehistoric tadpole that is ghostly white. The holes in its face are large sensory pores that help them detect changes in the ocean. It is often found at depths between 1900 to 2997 meters. 

Photo credit: https://www.timeout.com/singapore/museums/creatures-of-the-deep

Wolftrap Angler

Thaumatichthys binghami

The Wolftrap Angler is slightly different from many other species of anglers. It has its bioluminescent lure located inside of its mouth instead of connected  to its body. Even though it is intimidating up close, it is only nine centimeters in size. It is found in the deep ocean at 2432m. 

Photo credit

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

https://igniteyourcuriosity.wordpress.com/2016/10/22/anglerfish/

If you are interested in learning about different types of plankton in the ocean, please check out @planktonqueen page. I post a lot of cool species, photos, and facts.

Barnacle Larvae

Amphibalanus eburneus

When we think of barnacles, we think of the hard, white crustaceans that grow on the side of boats and docks. However, barnacles go through a variety life stages and metamorphosis before they spend their life on a hard surface. The image above is a barnacle larvae when it is in the cypris stage, think of it as a baby barnacle. This larvae is an example of zooplankton and spends a short period of time floating around in the water column.  The second image summarizes the life cycle of a barnacle. 

Photo source: https://www.nyharbornature.com/blog/barnacles-are-reproducing

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/453174781229895797/

Pram Bug

Phronima sedentaria

The Pram Bug is a deep sea amphipod that is located between 200 to 1000m in the ocean. It has a translucent exoskeleton and can see primarily blue light. It is also is contained in a hollowed out barrel that is used for protection and to house babies. The image above is a female pram bug carrying its young. 

Photo Credit:https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/phronima-female-and-young

Physonect Siphonophore

Nanomia cara

The Physonect siphonophore has tiny, bubble shaped sacs that are filled with gas. The sacs are called pneumatophores and help this creature move through the deep ocean. It also has venomous tentacles that stun prey and over eighty stomachs. There are numerous amounts of these strange creatures along the east coast, and they have cause some fisheries to collapse. Furthermore, they can be found at depth between 400m to 1000m.  

Photo credit: http://www.seawater.no/fauna/cnidaria/cara.html

https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-siphonophore-hydrozoan-cnidarian-nanomia-cara-atlantic-nectophores-naturephotography-image90194961.html

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

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/

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