Psychedelic Medusa 

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

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/

Wake up babe new fish dropped

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

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

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

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/

Scaly Dragonfish

Stomias Boa

The Scaly Dragonfish is about 32cm long and found at depths between 200 to 1500m. The long purple barbel on its chin is used to lure in prey. When the pery gets close enough, it swings its jaws forward swallowing the prey whole.

Photo credit: https://alchetron.com/Stomias

Video on the fish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=69&v=9oB_61aI2iQ&feature=emb_title

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

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