Predatory Copepod

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

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

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

Pink Helmet

Aglantha digitale

The Pink Helmet is a mini hydromedusa that comes in a variety of vibrant colors. The tiny jelly is only 4 cm in size and is found towards the surface of the ocean. The purple and blue hues we see in its bell are caused by a phenomenon known as iridescence, when light strikes the jelly’s thin tissue at different angles  (similar to what we see in a soap bubbles). It also has orange pigmentation near its mouth; this pigmentation helps attract prey and mask luminescence. Furthermore, females tend to be more colorful than males.

Photo  credit:    https://biolum.eemb.ucsb.edu/organism/pictures/aglantha.html

 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/186899453255850798/

Sea elephant

Carinaria japonica

The Sea Elephant is a translucent sea snail that has a large muscular body and a tiny triangular shell. Its foot is used for crawling on the ground, and it can be transformed into a fin that is used for swimming. It is called the “sea elephant” because it has a small trunk in its mouth that is used to swallow prey. Furthermore, the Sea Elephant eats arrow worms and jellies.

Photo credit

https://bodegahead.blogspot.com/2014/12/carinaria-part-2.html

http://tolweb.org/Carinaria_japonica/28750

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!

Red Paper Lantern Medusa

Pandea rubra

The Red Paper Lantern resembles a floating, Japanese paper lantern in the deep sea. It has the ability to crumple and wrinkle its bright, red bell, and it is located at depths between 550m to 1200m. It has also been nicknamed the “origami jelly.”

Photo credit:  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pandea_rubra

http://www.thegorgeousdaily.com/pandea-rubra/

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/

Update

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

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/