Fishes living at great depths. The most terrible inhabitants of the sea abyss

Incredible facts

Oceans cover about 70 percent earth's surface and provide about half of the air we breathe thanks to microscopic phytoplankton.

Despite all this, the oceans remain the biggest mystery. Thus, 95 percent of the world's oceans and 99 percent of the ocean floor remain unexplored.

Here are examples of the most unimaginable creatures that live in the depths of the ocean.

1. Smallmouth macropinna

Smallmouth macropinna(Macropinna microstoma) belongs to the group deep sea fish who have developed a unique anatomical structure in order to fit your lifestyle. These fish are extremely fragile, and specimens of the fish that have been collected by fishermen and researchers are deformed due to pressure changes.

Most unique characteristic What makes this fish unique is its soft, transparent head and barrel-shaped eyes. Typically fixed in an upward direction with green "lens covers" to filter sunlight, the eyes of the Smallmouth Macropinna can rotate and extend.

In fact, what appear to be eyes are sensory organs. The real eyes are located under the forehead.

2. Bathisaurus

Bathysaurus ferox sounds like a dinosaur, which is actually not far from the truth. Bathysaurus ferox belongs to the deep-sea lizardheads that live in the tropical and subtropical seas of the world, at a depth of 600-3,500 m. Its length reaches 50-65 cm.

He is considered the deepest living super predator in the world and everything that comes in his way is immediately devoured. Once this devil fish's jaws snap shut, it's game over. Even her tongue is lined with razor-sharp fangs.

It is hardly possible to look at her face without shuddering, and it is even more difficult for her to find a mate. But this does not bother this formidable underwater inhabitant too much, since it has both male and female genital organs.

3. Viper fish

The viper fish is one of the most unusual deep-sea fish. Being known as common hauliod(Chauliodus sloani), it is one of the ocean's most ruthless predators. This fish is easily recognized by its large mouth and sharp fang-like teeth. In fact, these fangs are so large that they do not fit in her mouth, curling closer to her eyes.

The viper fish uses its sharp teeth in order to impale its prey by swimming towards it at very high speed. Most of these creatures have a stretchable stomach, which allows them to swallow fish larger than themselves in one sitting. At the end of its spine is a luminous organ that the fish uses to attract its prey.

It lives in tropical and temperate waters in different parts light at a depth of 2,800 m.

4. Deep sea monkfish

Deep sea monkfish ( Deep Sea Anglerfish) looks like a creature from a science fiction world. It may be one of the ugliest animals on our planet and lives in the most inhospitable environment - the lonely, dark seabed.

There are more than 200 species monkfish, most of which live in the murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans.

The monkfish lures its prey with its elongated dorsal spine, curving it around the bait, while the end of the spine glows to attract unsuspecting fish to its mouth and sharp teeth. Their mouth is so large and their body so flexible that they can swallow prey twice their size.

5. Piglet squid

Known as Helicocranchia Pfefferi, this cute creature is a real outlet after the terrifying toothy fish, which are associated with deep-sea spaces. This species of squid lives about 100 m below the ocean surface. Due to its habitat in the deep ocean, its behavior has not been well studied. These inhabitants are not the fastest swimmers.

Their body is almost completely transparent, with the exception of some cells containing pigments called chromatophores, which give these inhabitants such a charming appearance. They are also known for their luminous organs called photophores, which are located under each eye.

6. Japanese spider crab

The spider crab's leg span reaches 4 meters, with a body width of about 37 cm and a weight of about 20 kg. Japanese spider crabs can live up to 100 years, as do the largest and oldest lobsters.

These subtle inhabitants of the seabed are ocean cleaners, dealing with dead deep-sea inhabitants.

The Japanese crab's eyes are located in the front with two horns between the eyes that shorten with age. As a rule, they live at depths of 150 to 800 m, but most often at a depth of 200 m.

Japanese spider crabs are considered a real delicacy, but Lately The catch of these crabs is declining thanks to a program to protect these deep-sea species.

7. Drop fish

This fish lives off the coast of Australia and Tasmania at a depth of about 800 m. Considering the depth of the water in which it swims, the blob fish does not have a swim bladder, like most fish, as it is not very effective under high water pressure. Her skin is made of a gelatinous mass that is slightly denser than water, which allows her to float above the ocean floor without any hassle. The fish grows up to 30 cm in length, feeding mainly sea ​​urchins and shellfish that swim by.

Even though this fish is inedible, it is often caught along with other prey such as lobsters and crabs, putting it at risk of extinction. Distinctive external characteristic fish drop is her unhappy facial expression.

8. Tongue-Eating Woodlice

Surprisingly, the snapper himself does not suffer much from this process, continuing to live and eat after the woodlouse found him permanent place accommodation.

9. Frilled Shark

People have rarely encountered the frilled shark, which prefers to stay in the ocean depths of about 1,500 m below the ocean surface. Considered living fossils Frilled sharks actually share many of the characteristics of ancestors that swam the seas back to the time of the dinosaurs.

Frilled sharks are thought to capture their prey by bending their body and lunging forward like a snake. Its long, flexible jaw allows it to devour its prey whole, while its many small, needle-sharp teeth prevent its prey from escaping. It feeds mainly on cephalopods, as well as bony fish and sharks.

10. Lionfish (or Lionfish)

It is believed that the first lionfish or Pterois, which has a beautiful color and large spiny fins, appeared in sea waters on the shores of Florida in the early 90s of the last century. Since then they have spread throughout Caribbean Sea, becoming a real punishment for marine inhabitants.

These fish eat other species, and they seem to eat constantly. They themselves have long poisonous spines, which protects them from other predators. IN Atlantic Ocean local fish are not familiar with them and do not recognize the danger, and the only species here that can eat them is the lion fish themselves, since they are not only aggressive predators, but also cannibals.

The venom released from their spines makes the bites even more painful, and for those who suffer from heart disease or allergic reactions, it can become fatal.

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 was simply teeming with different forms of 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 1,200 meters off the north coast of New Zealand. Yes, it may be pink, and yes, it can reflect light like 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 near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.

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 were found only near deep-sea corals.

8. Carnivorous Coral or Sponge-Harp Coral


Most corals receive 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 part of 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


The goblin shark is a truly strange creature. In 1985 it was discovered in the waters off east coast 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 species of octopus 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 seeing 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 upper layers its habitat contains some amount of sunlight, so it has developed 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-colored robe... and disappears.

2. Eastern Pacific Black Ghost Shark


Found on great depth 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 alive 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 Antarctic waters Ross Sea, and is currently on display at the National Museum of New Zealand. The squid is believed to be a slow ambush predator that feeds big fish and other squids 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 of the colossal squid. 


+ Bonus
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.

Nautical animal world is the kingdom of many millions of living beings. Those who have at least once had to go down into depths of the sea, were amazed by the enchanting beauty and bizarre forms of the underwater world.

Amazing fish, fabulous algae, creatures that are sometimes difficult to distinguish from plants. For example, sponges. For a long time scientists argued, where to classify them, animals or plants. After all, sponges have no bark, no stomach, no brain, no nerves, no eyes - nothing that makes it possible to immediately say that this is an animal.

photo: Jim McLean

Sponge

Sponges are primitive multicellular animals that mainly live in the seas and oceans, from the very shore to great depths, clinging to the bottom or to underwater rocks. There are more than 5,000 species of these animals. Most of them are heat-loving animals, but some have adapted to harsh conditions Arctic and Antarctic.

Sponges have a variety of shapes: some look like a ball, others like tubes, and others like glasses. They are not only different shapes, but also have different colors: yellow, orange, red, green, blue, black and others.

The body of the sponge is very uneven, easily tears, crumbles, and everything is penetrated by numerous holes and pores through which water penetrates and brings oxygen and food to the sponges - small planktonic organisms.

photo: Katalin Szomolanyi

Despite the fact that the sponge does not move and cannot even move, it is very tenacious. Sponges don't have many enemies. Their skeleton consists of large quantity needles, they protect the sponges. In addition, if a sponge is divided into many particles, even into cells, it will still connect and live.

During the experiment, two sponges were separated into parts and united into two former sponges, with each part of the sponge uniting with its own. The life expectancy of sponges is different. It is short in freshwater - a few months, in others - up to 2 years, and some of them are long-lived - up to 50 years.

Corals

Corals, or more precisely coral polyps, are primitive marine invertebrate animals that belong to the type of coelenterates. The coral polyp itself is a small animal, shaped like a grain of rice covered with tentacles. Each small polyp has its own known skeleton - corallites. When the polyp dies, the connected corallites form a reef, on which the polyps again settle, changing generation after generation. This is how reefs grow.

photo: Charlene

Coral colonies amaze with their beauty; sometimes they form real underwater gardens and reefs. There are three types: 1) rocky or limestone, living in colonies and forming coral reefs 2) soft corals 3) horn corals - gorgonians, which are distributed from the polar regions to the equator.

Most corals can be found in the waters of tropical seas, where the water is never colder than + 20 degrees. Therefore, there are no coral reefs in the Black Sea.

Now science knows more than 500 species coral polyps that form reefs. Most corals live in shallow waters and only 16 percent reach depths of 1000m.

photo:LASZLO ILYES

Although corals create strong reefs, the polyps themselves are very delicate, vulnerable creatures. Corals lie on the bottom or grow in the form of individual bushes and trees. They come in yellow, red, purple and other colors and reach a height of 2 m and a width of 1.5 m. They need a clean one salty water. Therefore, near the mouths large rivers which carry a lot of fresh water into the ocean muddy water, corals don't live.

Plays an important role in the life of corals sunlight. This is due to the fact that microscopic algae live in the tissues of the polyps, which provide respiration to the coral polyps.

Corals feed on small marine plankton that stick to the animals' tentacles and then pull prey into the mouth, which is located under the tentacles.

Sometimes the ocean floor rises (for example, after an earthquake), then coral reef comes to the surface and forms an island. Gradually it is populated by plants and animals. These islands are also inhabited by people. For example, ocean islands.

Starfish, urchins, lilies

All these animals belong to the phylum Echinodermata. They are very different from other types of animals.

Echinoderms live in salt water, so they inhabit only seas and oceans.

Starfish have 5, 6, 7, 8 and even 50 “rays”. At the end of each is a tiny eye that can sense light. Starfish come in bright colors: yellow, orange, red, purple, less often green, blue, gray. Sometimes starfish reach a size of 1 m across, small ones - a few millimeters.

photo: Roy Ellis

Starfish swallow small shellfish whole. When a large mollusk comes across, it hugs it with its “rays” and begins to pull valve after valve off the mollusk. But this is not always possible. The star is able to digest food from the outside, so a gap of 0.2 mm is enough for the star to push its stomach in there! They are capable of attacking even live fish with their stomachs. The fish swims with the star for some time, gradually digesting it while still alive!

Sea urchins omnivores, they eat dead fish, small starfish, snails, mollusks, their own relatives and algae. Sometimes hedgehogs settle in granite and basalt rocks, making a small hole for themselves with their incredibly strong jaws.

photo: Ron Wolf

sea ​​lilies- creatures that really look like a flower. They are found on the ocean floor and lead a sedentary lifestyle as adults. There are more than 600 species, most of which are stemless.

Jellyfish- unique marine animals that inhabit all seas and oceans on Earth.

The bodies of most jellyfish are transparent, as they are 97 percent water.

Adult animals do not look like young jellyfish. First, the jellyfish lays eggs, from which larvae emerge, and from them a polyp grows, which resembles an amazing bush. After some time, small jellyfish break away from it and grow into an adult jellyfish.

photo: Mukul Kumar

Jellyfish come in a variety of colors and shapes. Their sizes range from a few millimeters to two and a half meters, and the tentacles sometimes reach 30 m in length. They can be found both on the surface of the sea and at great depths, which sometimes reaches 2000m. Most jellyfish are very beautiful, they seem to be creatures that are not capable of offending. However, jellyfish are active predators. There are special capsules on the tentacles and in the mouth of the jellyfish that paralyze the prey. In the middle of the capsule there is a long coiled “thread”, armed with spikes and a poisonous liquid, which is thrown out when the victim approaches. For example, if a crustacean touches a jellyfish, it will immediately stick to the tentacle and poisonous stinging threads will be inserted into it, paralyzing the crustacean.

photo: Miron Podgorean

Jellyfish venom affects humans differently. Some jellyfish are quite safe, others are dangerous. The latter includes the cross jellyfish, the size of which does not exceed an ordinary five-kopeck coin. On her transparent yellow-green umbrella you can see a dark cross-shaped pattern. Hence the name of this very poisonous jellyfish. Having touched the cross, a person receives a severe burn, then loses consciousness and begins to suffocate. If timely assistance is not provided, a person may die. Jellyfish move thanks to the contraction of a dome-shaped umbrella. In one minute they carry out up to 140 such movements, so they can move quickly. Jellyfish spend most of their time at the surface of the water. In 2002 in the central part Sea of ​​Japan A huge jellyfish was discovered. The size of her umbrella reached more than 3 m in diameter and a weight of 150 kg. Until now, such a giant has not been registered.

Interestingly, jellyfish of this species, measuring 1 m in diameter, began to be found in the thousands. Scientists cannot explain the reasons for their sudden increase. But it is believed that this is due to an increase in water temperature.

photo: Amir Stern

There are also many mammals that inhabit the oceans, seas and fresh water bodies. Some of them, like dolphins, spend their entire lives in water. Others go there mainly to search for food, as otters do. All aquatic animals are excellent swimmers, and some even dive to great depths. The size of land animals is limited by the strength of the limbs that can support the weight. In water, body weight is less than on land, which is why many species of whales have reached enormous sizes in the process of evolution.

photo: Alaska Region U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Four groups of mammals live in the seas and oceans. These are cetaceans (whales and dolphins), pinnipeds (seals, hares and walruses), sirenians (manatees and dugongs) and sea otters. Pinnipeds and sea otters come to land to rest and reproduce, while cetaceans and sirenians spend their entire lives in the water.

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The depths of the sea have now remained the most inaccessible and mysterious part of our planet. It is there that researchers and tourists have not yet been able to penetrate; it is there that marine animals can feel safe from curious people. At the same time, the depths of the ocean hide their inhabitants quite reliably, although we were able to meet some of the most terrible ones.

1. European anglerfish(Lophius piscatorius)


If you ask someone to describe an anglerfish, the easiest way to do it is to call it a “mouth with a tail.” It seems that his mouth smoothly turns into a tail, and his body is basically absent. Moreover, all the fish are covered with various outgrowths and growths, which help it camouflage among the sand and thickets of aquatic vegetation. They are distributed in the Atlantic Ocean from the Black to North Sea at depths of 18-550 m.
The dimensions of the anglerfish are impressive - up to two meters long and weighing more than 20 kg. But his method of obtaining food is striking. The first rays of the anglerfish's dorsal fin have changed in the process of evolution, turning into a kind of bait that fluoresces in the darkness of the depths. Now he lies quietly in ambush, waving the bait in front of his nose. The naive fish swims up and then the terrible jaws instantly open, drawing water with all the living creatures into the bottomless stomach of the anglerfish. Angler fish eggs are spawned in real layers almost a meter wide and up to nine meters long. The eggs are light and rise to the surface, where the fry gradually eat off and sink, reaching the bottom and the required dimensions by 5-6 years.
Interestingly, in France, monkfish is a popular dish, but for Jews, due to the lack of scales, it is not kosher.

2. Viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)


There are 6 species of howloids, living in warm tropical waters. The fish are small, only up to 35 cm, but their appearance can drive even the most persistent (including those into hysterics) into hysterics. Viper fish are found at depths of up to four kilometers, although more often from 500 to 1000 meters. At night they rise almost to the very surface, and during the day they sink deep to the bottom. The body of the fish is covered with large scales and luminous areas, which are used for communication. In addition, one of the rays of the dorsal fin, like that of the anglerfish, is turned into bait.
But main feature The distinctive feature of the fish is its disproportionately large head in relation to the body, equipped with long sharp teeth. She is able to lean far back, and her jaw, like a snake’s, can move forward and down. As a result, marine life three times larger becomes its victims. Howloids also have a specific structure of the esophagus; the entire body is focused on holding any prey that comes along! Indeed, in the habitats of the viper fish, hunting is not abundant, and the howloid can live 12 days on one victim.

3. Alepisaurus


The species was first described in 1741 by Steller during the Kamchatka expedition. And then the researchers got a fish carcass that washed up on the shore. Later, with the expansion of fishing, fish began to be caught more often, and more material became available for research. It was possible to establish that the size of the fish reaches 2 meters and 8 kilograms, they have huge teeth and a high dorsal fin. All fish seem swiftly strong, thanks to their flattened, slender body and narrow, elongated head. Like many deep-sea predators, Alepisaurus makes large vertical movements behind its victims.

4. Long-horned sabertooth (Anoplogaster cornuta)


For almost 50 years, scientists believed and accepted the juveniles of these fish as a separate species. Young and adult saber-tooths are radically different from each other – in color, body shape, and arsenal of teeth. With age, light, triangular fish with a spiky head become black, large-headed, toothy predators with the longest teeth in relation to the body among fish. And these fish are considered the deepest, found at a depth of five kilometers and at the same time easily carrying normal pressure, surviving in ordinary aquariums. Yes, but long scary predators only 15 cm.

5. Dragonfish (Grammatostomias flagellibarba)


Another tropical deep-sea predator. It is helped to cope with the problem of obtaining food at kilometer depths by a luminous decoy appendage, large sharp teeth and the ability to literally put itself on the victim. Moreover, the size of the fish does not exceed 15 centimeters.

6. Largemouth (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)


At a kilometer depth you can find, perhaps, the most strange fish- largemouths. Their skull bones were almost completely reduced, and the entire skeleton underwent significant changes. The lower jaw took on the appearance of a large bag, reminiscent of a pelican, and the body itself most closely resembles a long whip up to 2 meters long. Just like other marine inhabitants of these depths, largemouths are aggressive and capable of swallowing quite large prey.

7. Atlantic giant squid / Architeuthis dux

In 1887, the largest specimen was caught off the coast of New Zealand. giant squid– 17.5 meters long, of which only the tentacles accounted for 5 meters. Sometimes these squids are called record holders among mollusks in terms of size, but their other relatives are in the lead here - colossal squid. Many legends are associated with both species; they are credited with violent battles with sperm whales, dragging ships under water and submarines, it is these squids that are called krakens.

8. Giant isopod crayfish (Bathynomus giganteus)


This creature was discovered by chance by oil workers in the Gulf of Mexico at a depth of 2.6 km. It simply stuck to one of the geological sensors and was then brought to the surface. Giant sea woodlice reach 0.45 m in length and 2 kg in weight. The first of its 7 pairs of legs evolved into jaws, and a strong chitinous cover provides reliable protection for the body. The appearance of the isopod crayfish is truly prehistoric.

9. Frogfish (Brachionichthyidae melanostomus)


This kind sea ​​anglers differs in that it has practically lost the ability to swim, but deftly moves along the bottom with the help of modified pectoral fins. It has a small body, up to 12 cm, covered with poisonous shoots and spines, capable of swelling and absorbing very large prey. Which, like all fish of this family, is lured by a luminous “fishing rod”.

10. Hell Vampire (Vampyroteuthis infernalis)


This cephalopod has features of both squid and octopus. This is one of the most amazing animals. The hellish vampire holds several records at once. Its eyes, 2.5 cm, are the largest in the animal world relative to the body (30 cm). He lives at the greatest depth (400-1000 m) among all cephalopods, where there is no light and a vanishing low concentration of oxygen.
Thanks to the copper content in the blood, it is possible to supply the body with those crumbs of oxygen that are in the water. Due to the high ammonia content in the tissues, an ideal body density comparable to that of sea ​​water, which provides excellent buoyancy and does not require additional energy. The mollusk is completely covered with photoreceptors and uses light for complex communication, to disorient the victim and the attacker. Unlike its shallower-water counterparts, the hellish vampire does not use ink for protection; it releases a mucous suspension with luminous balls into the face of its attackers, and itself hides nearby in the darkness.

11. Long-nosed chimera (Harriotta raleighana)

All chimeras have very distinctive noses to some degree, but the long-nosed chimera has a particularly intricate nose. This benthic deep-sea predator lives at depths of 200-2600 m and, thanks to the aerodynamic shape of its nose and body, is capable of reaching enormous speeds. In addition, they have a large poisonous spine, which is usually folded into a recess on the back, and in case of danger rises up.

12. Frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)


The rare relict shark reaches 2 meters in length and lives in near-bottom areas at depths of 400-1200 meters. The shark got its name from the folds of skin covering the gill slits. The body of the fish is elongated, serpentine, like other sharks there are a huge number of curved teeth and a brutal appetite. Another feature is ovoviviparity, and “pregnancy” can last up to 2 years.

And one more sea creature, a real live-swallower:

In the depths of the seas and oceans, a completely different world reigns: special flora and fauna, represented by many varieties, have not yet revealed half of their secrets to humanity. Every year, thanks to developing technologies, scientists are able to explore new areas and discover unique species deep sea animals.

Creatures that live in little-explored waters often amaze with their appearance- not always cute, but certainly entertaining and mysterious. We invite you to immerse yourself in a strange and wonderful underwater kingdom with its extravagant inhabitants.

1. Moonfish (Mola-mola)

The sunfish (sunfish, headfish) is the world's largest bony fish. The laterally flattened and somewhat elongated body shape, combined with its impressive size, makes a strong impression; in addition, many individuals of this species reach three meters, if you calculate the distance between the fins. This huge fish is found in all oceans located in tropical and temperate climate. The giant feeds on zooplankton, and also, most likely, small fish and algae.

2. Giant isopod

The giant isopod, without a doubt, can be called one of the most strange creatures, met a person in underwater world. Known to Science as Bathynomus giganteus, it belongs to the crustacean group, being the largest member of the Bathynomus family, related to shrimp and crabs.

3. Pelagic megamouth shark

It is difficult to describe the largemouth shark better than its name does - a shark with a huge mouth. Its streamlined head is somewhat lost behind the scale of its protruding jaws. The shark's body is decorated with white spots covering the tips of the fins, as well as a dark triangle at the throat. Average length this outlandish sea ​​creature is 4.5 m, although scientists have discovered individuals larger than five meters. The largemouth shark weighs about 750 kg.

4. Long-horned sabertooth

Known to the scientific world as Anoplogaster Cornuta, this formidable creature lives in deep waters many of the world's oceans. Sabertooth got its eloquent name because of the very impressive appearance of its fanged mouth. The teeth of this fish are considered to be the longest in proportion to body size among all sea inhabitants. For its grotesque appearance, the saber tooth earned the nickname “ogre fish.”

5. Hauliod (viperfish)

One of the most violent underwater predators is the hauliod. His teeth are so large that they do not fit into his mouth, curving down to his eyes. It is believed that so formidable weapon helps the fish inflict critical wounds on its victims while chasing them on high speeds. This creepy looking creature has a long dorsal fin, topped with a photophore - an organ that produces light.

6. Grenadier fish

This species lives just above the seabed. Slowly swimming along its surface, the fish looks for live prey for food, although it turns out that it is not at all averse to tasting underwater carrion. In addition to a rather impressive appearance, the grenadier has the ability to highlight a specific chemical compound with an extremely pungent odor. So it’s really not easy to get close to this small underwater monster.

7. Deep Sea Glass Squid

Extremely curious species can be found at mid-ocean depths, where rays of light reaching through the water column in combination with the translucent bodies of underwater inhabitants create a spectacular camouflage for the latter. For even better camouflage, some creatures such as e.g. glass squid, acquired bioluminescent organs located under the eyes.

8. Monkfish (football fish)

In addition to the interesting appearance angler has other interesting features. For example, the males of this fish attach themselves to the body of a much larger female and spend most of their lives in this position. While the lady takes care of her harem, gets food and builds a nest, the task of her many husbands is only to fertilize.

9. Pacific Black Dragon

Female Pacific black dragons grow up to 61 cm in length and have rather menacing-looking fangs, as well as a small beard. In comparison with their impressive female friends, males cannot boast of their size (about 8 cm), teeth, mustaches or beards. They don’t even have a stomach, so they are not destined to eat in their short lives. The only mission of the brownish male Pacific black dragon is to mate with the female, who then also uses the body of her former friend as bait for prey.

10. Largemouth (pelican fish)

The long body of the pelican fish turns into an equally long tail with a light-producing organ at the end. On average, this ancient inhabitant of the seas can grow up to 80 cm. Its habitat is the waters of tropical and temperate climates.