Marrus Orthocanna

This is One of the example of Marrus Orthocanna.

Like a multistage rocket, this bizarre microscopic creature, Marrus orthocanna is made up of multiple repeated units, including tentacles and multiple stomachs. Never heard of a physonect siphonophore? That's what this is. It's something like a jellyfish, and is more closely related to the Portugese man o' war. That’s not it, here comes the biggest fact that also shocked me. Pioneerunion.com - stated that “The Deep Sea Siphonophore are long creatures. They can get as long as 50 meters. 

The majority of them, are long and thin, and they consist of mostly gelatinous material.” This creature can be found in the Arctic Ocean, northwest Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, North Atlantic Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea at depths of 200 to 800 m (660 to 2600 ft) – Aquariumofpacific.org

References :

• http://pioneerunion.ca.schoolwebpages.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=2765&linkid=nav-menu-container-4-12907

• Of the Pacific. (n.d.). Pelagic Siphonophore. Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/pelagic_siphonophore

Flamingo Tongue Snail

The Flamingo Tongue is on the top of the ocean reef.

Have you ever seen a white shell with yellow spots precariously attached to a sea rod or sea fan? That’s a Flamingo Tongue snail ! Although their shells appear beautifully patterned with colorful spots, these spots are only visible while the snail is alive. A Flamingo Tongue’s shell is actually white. The vibrant spots come from the snail’s mantle which is extended over the shell. Oceana.org have stated that “these gastropods are seen almost exclusively on the animals they use as food, including sea fans, sea whips, and other gorgonians, although they occasionally cross open sand in search of new habitat. Only ¾ to 1 inch in size, these little snails feed on the polyps of sea rods as well as other gorgonians (soft corals).

 As gastropods, aka stomach-footed snails, Flamingo Tongues use their foot to eat! Cyphoma gibbosum lives sub-tidally on shallow reefs in the Caribbean and southern Atlantic Ocean - Thecephalopodpage.org

References :

• Ocena. (n.d.). Oceana | Protecting the World's Oceans. Flamingo Tongue. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://oceana.org/en/explore/marine-wildlife/flamingo-tongue

• Nahabedian, S., Wood, J. B., & Parr, M. (n.d.). Flamingo Tongue Snail (Cyphoma gibbosum). Flamingo Tongue Snail (Cyphoma gibbosum). Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Cyphomagibbosum1.html

Frilled Shark

The face of Frilled Shark.

The frilled shark is one of the least seen amongst sharks because of the depths in which it lives. Living in such deep waters has its drawbacks because temperatures are freezing; therefore, the metabolic cycle of this shark is somewhat lethargic. The frilled shark has been called everything from a "sea serpent" to a real-life "Loch Ness Monster" over the years in places where it lives, such as southeast Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, West Africa, Chile and the Caribbean – Discovery.com. Frilled sharks, Chlamydoselachus anguineus, feed on cephalopods (mainly squid), other sharks, and bony fishes. 

Feeding behavior has not yet been observed by this weak-swimming species, though they are thought to capture active, fast-moving squid by taking advantage of injured squid or those that are exhausted and dying after spawning – Marine Bio.com. Frilled sharks or scientifically to be called Chlamydoselachus anguineus, are deepwater eel-like sharks that reach lengths up to 2 m and are thought to reach sexual maturity when they are 1.35 to 1.5 m long.

References :

• Frilled Sharks, Chlamydoselachus anguineus. (n.d.). MarineBio.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=1485

• Frilled Shark (Types of Shark) : Discovery Channel. (n.d.). Discovery Channel. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/types-of-shark/frilled-shark.htm

Sarcastic Fringehead

       

Scary face shown by the Sarcastic Fringehead.

        When we first heard this kind of name we might be questioning is this the real name of this fish? Does it really exist? I will say yes to both of the questions as it is the real name of the fish and its exist.  From the Aquarium of Pacific.org - these fish are found along open coastlines on sand or hard mud bottoms, outside the breaker zone in depths of 3-73 m (10-240 ft). 

              They live in various kinds of shelters, such as empty clam or snail shells, abandoned burrows, and cracks in clay or rock outcroppings. Fringeheads are ambush predators, jumping out from their shelter to surprise prey swimming or moving by. The sarcastic fringehead’s needle-sharp teeth probably help it to ensnare (swallow) slippery, moving prey. Sarcastic fringeheads can be found along the exposed coast of the Pacific Ocean – Animal Diversity.edu.

References :

• Sarcastic Fringehead. (n.d.). Aquarium of the Pacific. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/onlinelearningcenter/species/sarcastic_fringehead

• Southern, J. (n.d.). Neoclinus blanchardi. Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Neoclinus_blanchardi/

Blue-ringed Octopus

This is One of TheBeautiful Blue-Ringed Octopuse.

Blue-ringed octopuses are among the deadliest animals in the sea. I believe that everybody might think that this tiny creature is beautiful because of the color on their skin, but this tiny creature is so deadly among the other octopuses. 

Pbs.org - have mentioned that “the blue-ringed octopus appears grey or beige with light brown patches when it is at rest, but when agitated its 50 or 60 bright blue rings appear and pulsate with color, as a warning.” The Blue-ringed octopuses feed on small crabs, hermit crabs, and shrimp that it hunts during the day. It have two types of venom secreted by two separate venom glands are used against prey and predators. One of the venoms is used for hunting crab, the other, which is extremely toxic, is used as self defense against predators. Based on Marine Bio.com - Blue-ringed octopuses can be found only in the temperate waters of southern Australia, from southern Western Australia to eastern Victoria at depths ranging from 0-50 meter. 

References :

• Bell, G. (n.d.). Animal Guide: Blue-Ringed Octopus. PBS. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/interactives-extras/animal-guides/animal-guide-blue-ringed-octopus/2177/

• Bio, M. (n.d.). Blue-ringed Octopuses, Hapalochlaena maculosa. MarineBio.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=403

Blob Fish

Sometime its look so ugly but sometime it seems to be cute :)

Next, I would like to present a species that have won the World's Ugliest Animal contest and it is pretty rare for normal people to see this kind of fish as they can only be found in marine waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans at depths between 100 m and 2800 m. Sciencenews.org have stated that Blobfish don’t have swim bladders but do have very soft bones. That makes sense for an animal that lives in the crushing pressures of the deep sea, allowing the fish to compress without cracking their bones. But up at the surface the fish seem jellylike and basically collapse, distorting their features. Blob fish seem to grow only to about 12 inches, about as long as a comic book – Noaa.gov. 

No one has seen them feed, but scientists think blob fish probably just open that big mouth and let little particles drift in - this is not a critter built to chase down its food.

References :

• ENGELHAUPT, E. (2013, September 26). 'World's ugliest animal' contest took a blobfish out of water. Science News. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/gory-details/worlds-ugliest-animal-contest-took-blobfish-out-water

• WeirdFins. (n.d.). WeirdFins. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/rss/podcasts/weirdfins/blobfish.htm

Barreleye Fish

Its so unique with the transperent head.

Deep-sea fish have adapted to their pitch-black environment in a variety of amazing ways. Several species of deep-water fishes in the family Opisthoproctidae are called "barreleyes" because their eyes are tubular in shape. Odditycentral.com stated that “The Pacific Barreleye fish gets its name from large eyes that are literally shaped like barrels, topped with beautiful green lenses. As well recognized as the Macropinna microstoma, its brain is totally lucid, filled with fluid.”

 This unique creature lives at depths of about 2000 to 2,600 feet and it is hard for us as a normal people to get a chance to see this creatures face to face. Animalspot.com - stated that the Barreleye fish were exposed by the marine biologist, Chapman in 1939. They live near the depth where sunlight from the surface fades to complete blackness. They use their ultra-sensitive tubular eyes to search for the shadowy silhouettes of prey overhead. Most of the time, the fish hangs motionless in the water with its body in a horizontal position and its eyes looking upward.

References : 

• Bebaychna, R. (n.d.). Barreleye Fish.Animal Spot. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.animalspot.net/barreleye-fish.html

• Sumitra, S. (2013, November 20). The Pacific Barreleye Fish and Its Weird See-Through Head | Oddity Central - Collecting Oddities. Oddity Central Collecting Oddities. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-pacific-barreleye-fish-and-its-weird-see-through-head.html

Sea Angel

A beautiful Sea Angel in the sea.

So sea angels are a group of snails, basically. They’re not too distant relatives of garden snails that you would find on land in your back yard. With their wing-like fins, rounded heads and pinkish "hearts," it's hard not to fall in love with these tiny, slimy fairies, who have earned such names as sea angel. 

Sea Angels are widely distributed in the North Atlantic and Subarctic Oceans and is found also in the North Pacific Ocean and along the Atlantic coast of North America in the waters of the cold Labrador current south to the Cape Hatteras region (around 35 N) – EOL.ORG.

References :

• Sea Angel (Clione limacina) - Information on Sea Angel - Encyclopedia of Life. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://eol.org/pages/451920/overview

• Willson, J. (n.d.). Sea Angels. critters360. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.critters360.com/index.php/sea-angels-9141/

The Black Swallower

The Black Swallower just ate a huge fish which is bigger then it size.

The Black Swallower (Chiasmodon niger) is one of the creepiest fish I have ever seen. Tankterrors.com - stated that “these little monsters live in some of the deepest depths and darkest place of the ocean, from roughly 2,000′ down all the way to 9,000′ below the surface.” That is not the biggest surprise; the black swallower can also turn a fish more than twice its length and 10 times its own mass into just that. 

Drawing of The Black Swallower

Australiangeographic.com - stated that “It has several long, hooked front teeth that can be pushed inward to allow the prey to move through its jaws, and then pushed backwards to lock it inside. Their prey makes its way down into a specialized gut that can distend so far that it hangs well below the rest of the body as the stomach tissues are stretched into transparency.”

References :

• The black swallower. (n.d.). Black swallower. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2013/11/black-swallower/

• Creepy Fish Files - The Black Swallower (Chiasmodon niger). (n.d.). Tank Terrors. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.tankterrors.com/creepy-fish-files-the-black-swallower-chiasmodon-niger/

Vampire Squid

A Beautiful Vampire Squid

The name of this particular squid is very different, as is the overall appearance of it. The black color is distinct enough in itself. The fact that the long arms flow like a black cape remind many people of a vampire wearing one. The arms have suckers that are hard to see unless you look up close at one. Not much is known about the feeding habits of the vampire squid. Its diet is believed to consist of prawns, cope pods, cnidarians, and other small invertebrates.

 The beaks of vampire squid have been found in the stomachs of seals, whales, and fishes, indicating that it is a favorite prey item for many deep-diving species – Seasky.org. They also live in the depths of the water where their dark color helps to serve as camouflage for them to avoid predators. “Vampire squid are found in the temperate and tropical regions of the ocean. They occupy meso- to bathypelagic depths where very little light penetrates between 300-3,000 m and are typically found between 600-1,200 m.”- Marinebio.com

References :

• Vampire Squid, Vampyroteuthis infernalis. (n.d.). MarineBio.org. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=179]

• Vampire Squid. (n.d.). - Deep Sea Creatures on Sea and Sky. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/vampire-squid.html

Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone

The side i,age of Venus Flytrap.

That wonderful monster of the deep, dear Neatoramanauts, is the Venus Flytrap sea Anemone (Actinoscyphia) from the Gulf of Mexico. The flytrap anemone is commonly found at depths of up to 5,000 meters, and is thus classified as a deep sea anemone. While in the Gulf of Mexico, the E/V Nautilus found many of these creatures on shipwrecks, which provide a solid substrate for the immobile anemones - innerspacecenter.org .

 Its name is derived from two land plants (the carnivorous Venus fly trap and the flower Anemone), but it's actually a type of polyp, related to corals and jellyfish. Based on the AnimalPawntation.com - “The enus Flytrap Anemone resembles a flower, but is actually an animal. It consists of a stem-like body topped with a wide mouth-like disk surrounded by tentacles. These anemones vary in color—they often have white or pastel bodies with brightly colored disks and tentacles in shades of pink and orange.” 

References :

• Masters, M. (n.d.). Features of the Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone. Animals. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://animals.pawnation.com/features-venus-flytrap-sea-anemone-3621.html

• Species of the Month, July 2014: Actinoscyphia aurelia, or the Venus Flytrap Anemone - Inner Space Center. (n.d.). Species of the Month, July 2014: Actinoscyphia aurelia, or the Venus Flytrap Anemone - Inner Space Center. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.innerspacecenter.org/news/item/226-species-of-the-month-july-2014-actinoscyphia-aurelia-or-the-venus-flytrap-anemone

Fangtooth Fish

Looking like it just swam out of a horror movie is the amazing Fangtooth. Known scientifically as Anoplogaster cornuta, this menacing creature haunts the deep waters of many of the world's oceans. Anoplogaster cornuta is found worldwide in tropical to temperate and subartctic seas, specifically within the range 65°N - 46°S, 180°W - 180°E. 

It is typically reported as a temperate to tropical species, though it has also been documented in the subarctic waters of the Pacific and Western AtlanticThe Fangtooth has a short deep body with a large head and mouth. The body is covered with small prickly scales – Eol.org. The distinct lateral line is an open groove partially covered by scales. There are mucous cavities on the head separated by serrated ridges. As the common name suggests, this fish has very long pointed teeth. The lower jaw fangs slide into pockets in the roof of the mouth when the jaws close. It is known from bathypelagic and mesopelagic depths down to about 5000 m, but is most common between 500 m and 2000 m – Australian Museum.

References :

• Norman, M. (n.d.). Fangtooth, Anoplogaster cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833) - Australian Museum. Fangtooth, Anoplogaster cornuta (Valenciennes, 1833) - Australian Museum. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://australianmuseum.net.au/Fangtooth-Anoplogaster-cornuta-Valenciennes-1833

• Descriptions and articles about the Fangtooth (Anoplogaster cornuta) - Encyclopedia of Life. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://eol.org/pages/994696/details

Yeti Crab

The Yeti Crab have fur on its body

First of all, I would like to share one of the greatest creatures named Yeti Crab or scientifically called Kiwa Hirsuta. Mbari.org - This crab was first observed in March 2005 by marine biologists using the research submarine Alvin to explore hydrothermal vents along the Pacific-Antarctic ridge, south of Easter Island. Because of its hairy legs, this animal was nicknamed the "Yeti crab," after the fabled Yeti, the abominable snowman of the Himalayas.This crab is unlike any other though. It has an average size of about 6 inches long and is specifically unique for its quantity of silky blond setae covering its legs and claws. Setae would refer to the fur-like hair covering it. 

Place where we can find Yeti Crab

Yeti Crabs are often found in depths of more than 2000 meters, and are common on and around hydrothermal vents of the Pacific-Antarctic Ridge. Factzoo.com - also stated that “Yeti crabs are known to inhabit the ocean floor and stay near hydrothermal vents, and due to their entire lives being spent on the ocean floor, they never develop the ability to see.” This means that all the Yeti Crabs are blind.  This is a video showing how they creating the food :)

                     

References :

• Yeti Crab - Grows Its Own Food In Its Hair. (n.d.). Animal Pictures and Animal Facts. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://www.factzoo.com/invertebrates/yeti-crab-grows-on-food-in-hair.html

• Discovery of the "Yeti Crab". (n.d.). Discovery of the "Yeti Crab". Retrieved August 19, 2014, from http://www.mbari.org/news/homepage/2006/yeti-crab.html