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Category: Animal of the Deep

Giant phantom jelly

This ghostly giant is a rare sight. In thousands of dives, MBARI researchers have only seen the spectacular Stygiomedusa nine times.

Whalefish

A whalefish lives in a world without sunlight. This rarely seen deep-sea fish relies on a network of pores to feel vibrations in the water and sense its surroundings.

Deep-sea anglerfish

The anglerfish is one of the most famous deep-sea animals, with a bioluminescent “fishing pole” projecting from its head to lure prey.

Bloody-belly comb jelly

The bloody-belly comb jelly’s deep red color disguises it in the ocean’s midnight zone.

Vampire squid

Swift and mysterious, vampire squid are an icon of life in the deep midwater.

Barreleye fish

The barreleye fish has a transparent head and tubular eyes.

Harp sponge

The harp sponge may sound angelic, but it is a carnivorous deep-sea predator.

Whiptail gulper eel

Food is scarce in the deep sea, so a gulper eel’s oversized mouth helps it swallow any morsel of food—big or small—that it comes across.

Big red jelly

The big red jelly lurks in the ocean’s mysterious midwaters.

Rattail fish

Super senses help a rattail fish thrive in darkness.