Deep waters are the lowest level of the ocean, located more than 1800 meters from the surface. Because only a small amount of light reaches this level, and sometimes no light at all, it was historically believed that there was no life in this layer. But in fact, it turned out that this level is simply teeming with in different forms life. It turned out that with each new dive to this depth, scientists miraculously find interesting, strange and outlandish creatures. Below are ten of the most unusual of them:
10. Polychaete Worm
This worm was caught this year from the ocean floor at a depth of 1200 meters at north coast New Zealand. Yes, it may be pink, and yes, it may reflect light in the form of a rainbow - but despite this, the polychaete worm can be a ferocious predator. The "tentacles" on its head are sensory organs designed to detect prey. This worm can twist its throat in order to grab a smaller creature - like an Alien. Fortunately, this type of worm rarely grows more than 10cm. They also rarely come across our path, but are often found nearby hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean.
9. Squat Lobster
These unique lobsters, which look quite scary and resemble headcrabs from the game Half-Life, were discovered on the same dive in which they were discovered polychaete worm, but at a greater depth, approximately 1400 meters from the surface. Even though squat lobsters were already known to science, this type I've never met them before. The squat lobsters live at depths of up to 5,000 meters and are distinguished by their large front claws and compressed bodies. They can be detritivores, predators, or herbivores that feed on algae. Not much is known about individuals of this species; in addition, representatives of this species have only been found about deep sea corals.
8. Carnivorous Coral or Sponge-Harp Coral
Most corals get their nutrients from photosynthetic algae that live in their tissues. This also means that they must live within 60 meters of the surface. But not this species, also known as the Harp Sponge. It was discovered 2,000 meters off the coast of California, but only this year scientists confirmed that it is carnivorous. Shaped like a candelabra, it stretches along the bottom to increase in size. It catches small crustaceans with tiny Velcro-like hooks and then stretches a membrane over them, slowly digesting them with chemicals. In addition to all its oddities, it also reproduces in a special way - “sperm packets” - see those balls at the end of each appendage? Yes, these are packets of spermatophores, and from time to time they swim away to find another sponge and reproduce.
7. Fish of the Cynogloss family or Tonguefish (Tonguefish)
This beauty is one of the species of tongue fish that are usually found in shallow estuaries or tropical oceans. This specimen lives in deep waters, and was caught from the bottom earlier this year in the Western Pacific Ocean. Interestingly, some tonguefish have been observed near hydrothermal vents spewing sulfur, but scientists have not yet figured out the mechanism that allows this species to survive in such conditions. Like all bottom-dwelling tonguefish, both of its eyes are located on the same side of its head. But unlike other members of this family, its eyes look like sticker eyes or scarecrow eyes.
6. Goblin Shark
Goblin shark is true strange creature. In 1985, it was discovered in the waters off the east coast of Australia. In 2003, more than a hundred individuals were captured in northeastern Taiwan (reportedly after an earthquake). However, other than sporadic sightings of this nature, little is known about this unique shark. This is a deep-sea, slow-moving species that can grow up to 3.8 meters in length (or even more - 3.8 is the largest that has ever been seen by humans). Like other sharks, the goblin shark can sense animals with its electro-sensing organs, and has several rows of teeth. But unlike other sharks, the goblin shark has both teeth adapted for catching prey and teeth adapted for cracking the shells of crustaceans.
If you're interested in watching her catch prey with that mouth of hers, here's a video. Imagine an almost 4-meter shark rushing at you with such jaws. Thank goodness they (usually) live so deep!
5. Flabby Whalefish
This brightly colored specimen (why need bright colors when colors are useless if you live where light can't penetrate) is a member of the unfortunately named "soft-bodied whalefish" species. This specimen was caught off the east coast of New Zealand, at a depth of more than 2 kilometers. In the lower part of the ocean, in the bottom waters, they did not expect to find many fish - and in fact it turned out that the soft-bodied whale-like fish did not have many neighbors. This family of fish lives at a depth of 3,500 meters, they have small eyes, which are actually completely useless given their habitat, but they have a phenomenally developed lateral line that helps them sense the vibrations of the water.
This species also does not have ribs, which is probably why the fish of this species look “soft-bodied”.
4. Grimpoteuthys (Dumbo Octopus)
The first mention of Grimpoteuthys appeared in 1999, and then, in 2009, it was filmed. These cute animals (for octopuses, anyway) can live about 7,000 meters below the surface, making them the deepest-dwelling octopus species known to science. This genus of animals, so named because of the flaps on either side of the bell-shaped heads of its members and never see sunlight, may number more than 37 species. Grimpoteuthys can hover above the bottom using jet propulsion, based on a siphon-type device. At the bottom, grimpoteuthis feeds on snails, mollusks, crustaceans and crustaceans that live there.
3. Vampire Squid
The hellish vampire (Vampyroteuthis infernalis name literally translates as: vampire squid from hell) is more beautiful than terrible. Although this species of squid does not live at the same depths as the squid that ranks first on this list, it still lives quite deep, to be exact at a depth of 600-900 meters, which is much deeper than the habitat of ordinary squid. In the upper layers of its habitat there is some amount of sunlight, so it has evolved the most big eyes(in proportion to the body, of course) than all other animals in the world, in order to capture as much light as possible. But what is most amazing about this animal is its defense mechanisms. In the dark depths where he lives, he releases a bioluminescent "ink" that blinds and confuses other animals while he swims away. This works amazingly well precisely when the waters are not lit. Typically, it can emit a bluish light that, when viewed from below, helps it camouflage itself, but if spotted, it turns around and wraps itself in its black robe... and disappears.
2. Eastern Pacific Black Ghost Shark
Found in deep water off the coast of California in 2009, this mysterious shark belongs to a group of animals known as chimeras, which may be the oldest group of fish to survive today. Some believe that these animals, which evolved from sharks about 400 million years ago, only survived because they lived at such great depths. This particular species of shark uses its fins to "fly" through the water, and the males have a pointed, bat-like, retractable sex organ that protrudes from its forehead. It is most likely used to stimulate the female or attract her closer, but very little is known about this species, so its exact purpose is unknown.
1. Colossal Squid
The colossal squid truly deserves its name, measuring 12-14 meters in length, which is comparable to the length of a bus. It was first "discovered" in 1925 - but only its tentacles were found in the stomach of the sperm whale. The first complete specimen was found near the surface in 2003. In 2007, the largest known specimen, measuring 10 meters in length, was caught in the Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea and is currently on display at National Museum New Zealand. The squid is believed to be a slow ambush predator that feeds on large fish and other squid attracted by its bioluminescence. Most scary fact What is known about this species is that sperm whales have been found to have scars that were left by the hooked tentacles colossal squid.
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Cascade Creature
Strange the new kind deep sea jellyfish? Or maybe a floating whale placenta or a piece of garbage? Until the beginning of this year, no one knew the answer to this question. Heated discussions about this creature began after this video was posted on YouTube - but marine biologists have identified this creature as a species of jellyfish known as Deepstaria enigmatica.
The selection presents a wide variety of living creatures that inhabit depths of the sea: strange and unusual, creepy and frightening, colorful and incredibly cute. Many of them were opened quite recently.
Marine "flycatcher"
These shell-predators live in deep-sea canyons near California. In terms of their hunting method, they are somewhat similar to carnivorous plants; they attach themselves to the bottom and calmly wait until the unsuspecting prey swims into the gaping mouth. This way of eating prevents them from being too picky about food.
Shark pedestrian
Off the coast of Halmahera Island (Indonesia), a new species of shark was discovered that “walked” along the bottom in search of prey, exactly like a lizard. Unusual fish a relative of the bamboo shark, it grows up to 70 cm in length. She hunts mainly at night, and her dinner is small fish and invertebrates. And by the way, this is far from the only fish, which “walks” along the seabed. Representatives of the bat and lungfish families can walk on fins.
Christmas tree
Lovers marine fauna and divers call this the colorful inhabitants of the Pacific and Indian Ocean. In fact, it is a tubular polychaete sea worm, its Latin names– Spirobranchus giganteus.
Neither fish nor...
This is a mollusk and it does not fit at all into the idea of what gastropods should actually look like. Tethys fimbria are quite large, about 30 cm long, their almost shapeless translucent body is decorated with bright processes irregular shape. Tethys are common in the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, where they slowly glide along the seabed.
Pugaporcinus
If there was a competition for the title of “weirdest worm,” Pugaporcinus would easily beat out all the other participants. These unusual inhabitants of the ocean depths are better known in narrow circles as “flying buttocks.” Their existence became known only recently, in 2007. The creature is no larger than a hazelnut.
Tripod fish
Bright distinctive feature these fish are long thin pectoral fins, with which it rests on the seabed and stands waiting for prey. It is not surprising that the name of this fish is Brachypterois grallator or simply tripod fish. Scientists still know little about them, since the creatures live at depths from 1000 to 4500 meters. The length of the fish is about 30-35 cm.
Thaumatikht Axel
These representatives of the order of anglerfish were discovered not so long ago, and were named after Danish prince Christian Axel, who died in the middle of the last century. Axel is considered one of the strangest and most unattractive creatures, although not many people like to live at a depth of 3500 meters (just remember the Internet star - the blob fish). They reach a length of 50 cm, or rather, scientists were able to meet fish of this size. In the creature's mouth there is a special gland with glowing bacteria. To start hunting, the fish simply needs to open its mouth and potential victims will swim towards the light source.
Moonfish
Bat
A fish from the ray-finned family of the same ugly anglerfish. Widely distributed in warm tropical and subtropical seas, except the Mediterranean. Lives at depths of up to 100 meters.
Sea spiders
These harmless creatures live in almost all waters with normal salinity. Like ordinary spiders, their body is relatively small, from 1 to 7 cm, but their leg span can be up to 50 cm. There are about 1000 species of sea spiders.
Mantis crab
This colorful creature has unique vision and moves with incredible speed, but most of the time the true predator hides in coral reefs at depths from 2 to 70 meters. Sometimes it is called a fighting cancer or even a terrorist cancer. Officially, he is a mantis crab. Why becomes clear at first glance. The segments of the jaws of these crayfish are bent at an angle, like those of mantises. Just like insects, crayfish are able to instantly throw a limb forward, much faster than a person blinks.
Giant underwater pipe
Pyrosomes or fireworms are tiny sea creatures somewhat similar to jellyfish, they are only a few millimeters long, but when united into a giant colony, they create huge translucent tubes up to several meters long. It’s also worth remembering that they are capable of bioluminescence. Imagine a huge underwater tube glowing in the night - a breathtaking sight.
Our Earth is 70% water and most of These vast expanses of water (including underwater) all remain poorly explored. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the most amazing and strange representatives of the animal world live in the depths of the sea. Today in our article we will talk about the most incredible deep-sea fish Mariana Trench and other ocean depths. Many of these fish were discovered to the human eye relatively recently, and many of them amaze us people with their incredible and even fantastic appearance, structural features, habits and way of life.
Bassogigas - the deepest sea fish in the world
So, meet bassogigas - a fish that is the absolute record holder for deep-sea habitat. Bassogigas was first caught at the bottom of a trench near Puerto Rico at a depth of 8 km (!) from the research ship John Eliot.
Bassogigas.
As you can see, by appearance our deep-sea record holder differs little from ordinary fish, although in fact, despite its relatively typical appearance, its habits and way of life have still been little studied by scientific zoologists, because conducting research at such a great depth is a very difficult task.
Blob fish
But it’s hard to blame our next hero for being “ordinary”; meet the drop fish, which in our opinion has the strangest and most fantastic appearance.
Like an alien from outer space, isn't it? The drop fish lives on the deep ocean floor near Australia and Tasmania. The size of an adult representative of the species is no more than 30 cm. In front of it there is a process reminiscent of our nose, and on the sides there are, respectively, two eyes. The drop fish does not have developed muscles and is somewhat reminiscent of its lifestyle - it swims slowly with open mouth in anticipation that the prey, which is usually small invertebrates, will be nearby. After this, the drop fish swallows the prey. She herself is inedible and, moreover, is on the verge of extinction.
And here is our next hero - a sea bat, which in appearance does not even look like a fish.
But, nevertheless, he is still a fish, although he cannot swim. The batfish moves along the seabed, pushing off with its fins, which are so similar to legs. The pipistrelle bat lives in the warm, deep waters of the world's oceans. The largest representatives of the species reach 50 cm in length. Bats are predators and feed on various small fish, but since they cannot swim, they lure their prey with a special bulb growing directly from their heads. This bulb has a specific smell that attracts small fish, as well as worms and crustaceans (they also go to food for our hero), while the bat itself sits patiently in ambush and as soon as potential prey is nearby, it suddenly grabs it.
Anglerfish - deep sea fish with a flashlight
The deep-sea angler fish, which lives, including in the depths of the famous Mariana Trench, is especially notable for its appearance, thanks to the presence of a real flashlight fishing rod on its head (hence its name).
The angler's flashlight rod is not only for beauty, but also serves the most practical purposes; with its help, our hero also lures prey - various small fish, although due to his large appetite and the presence of sharp teeth, the angler does not hesitate to attack and for more major representatives fish kingdom. Interesting fact: Anglers themselves often become victims of their particular gluttony, since having grabbed a large fish, due to the structural features of their teeth, they can no longer release the prey, as a result of which they themselves choke and die.
But back to his amazing biological flashlight, why does it glow? In fact, the light is provided by special luminous bacteria that live with the anglerfish in close symbiosis.
In addition to its main name, the deep-sea angler fish has others: “ sea Devil", "monkfish", because in its appearance and habits, it can easily be classified as a deep-sea monster fish.
The barrel eye perhaps has the most unusual structure among deep-sea fish: transparent head, through which he can see with his tubular eyes.
Although the fish was first discovered by scientists back in 1939, it still remains poorly studied. It lives in the Bering Sea, off the west coast of the USA and Canada, as well as off the coast of northern Japan.
Giant amoebas
American oceanographers 6 years ago discovered living creatures at a record depth of 10 km. - giant amoebas. True, they no longer belong to fish, so among fish the primacy is still occupied by bassogigas, but it is these giant amoebas that are absolute record holders among living beings living on greatest depth- the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known on Earth. These amoebas were discovered using a special deep-sea camera, and research into their life continues to this day.
Deep sea fish video
And in addition to our article, we invite you to watch an interesting video about 10 incredible creatures Mariana Trench.
Our planet is filled with different living creatures that decorate the Earth and contribute to the ecosystem. But it's no secret that water depths also teeming with many inhabitants. Although the variety of these creatures is not as abundant as on the surface, these organisms are still very unusual and interesting. So, who lives at the bottom of the ocean, what are their living conditions?
Conditions at depth
From space, our planet looks like a blue pearl. This is because the area of all the waters is almost three times larger than the land. Like the land, the surface of the oceans has uneven surfaces. It is dotted with hills, depressions, plains, mountains and even volcanoes. They are all at different depths. Thus, the abyssal plains are submerged at approximately 4000-6000 m. But even there there is life, although this may be surprising, since at a depth of 1000 m the pressure is 100 atmospheres. And with every hundred meters it increases by 10 units. Also, light does not penetrate there, which is why darkness always reigns at the bottom, therefore, the process of photosynthesis does not occur. In addition, under such thickness the water is unable to warm up; in the deepest places the temperature remains at zero. Such conditions make life in these places not very rich compared to the surface, since the lower you go, the less vegetation grows. So the question arises: how do those who live on the ocean floor adapt?
Life of the deep sea
Although it may seem that in such circumstances life is very difficult and even impossible, the local inhabitants are still quite adapted to these conditions. Animals that are at the very bottom do not feel strong pressure and at the same time do not suffer from a lack of oxygen. Also, those who live at the bottom of the ocean are able to feed themselves. Basically, they collect residues that “fall” from the upper layers.
Dwellers of the Deep
Of course, at the bottom the diversity of life is not as great as on the surface of the waters, and count deep sea inhabitants You can do it on your fingers. Unicellular organisms are found here, there are a little more than 120 species. There are also crustaceans, there are about 110 varieties of them. The rest are much smaller, the number of each species does not exceed 70. These few inhabitants include worms, coelenterates, mollusks, sponges and echinoderms. There are also fish that live on the ocean floor, but here the diversity of their species is very small.
Is it really pitch dark there?
Since the rays of the sun are unable to penetrate the abyss of water, there is an opinion that all the inhabitants are in constant darkness. But in reality, many of the animals found there have the ability to emit light. Most of the people who live on the ocean floor have this property: predators. For example, the conical periphylla, emitting light, attracts small inhabitants. This is a trap for them, as they become victims of this predator. But harmless living creatures can also create a glow.
Some fish have certain areas of their body that emit light. More often they are located under the eyes or stretch along the body. Certain species of crustaceans or fish use their vision, but the majority of the inhabitants do not have eyes or have undeveloped organs. This is not surprising, since such “live” lighting, which is created by bottom creatures, is not enough to make the underwater space visible. To get food you have to use your sense of touch. For this purpose, there are modified fins, tentacles or long legs of those who live on the ocean floor. The photo above illustrates one of these unusual creatures, known as the "Atoll" jellyfish. But in the deep-sea abyss, many living inhabitants lead a mostly motionless life, and therefore resemble flowers and plants.
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