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Channel for lovers of rivers, seas and oceans. Dive with us!
Jellyfish: Bizarre Creatures of the Deep 🪼
Jellyfish are some of the most unusual animals found in every ocean and sea. Some are beautiful, while others look frightening. Among them are harmless creatures and deadly dangerous species. Jellyfish are among the oldest living beings on Earth. Scientists believe that the first jellyfish appeared on our planet long before the dinosaurs, about 650 million years ago. They have survived multiple mass extinctions and continue to thrive in the world's oceans today. With their gelatinous bodies and stinging tentacles, these ancient creatures never cease to fascinate and mystify us.
🐠 Rhinogobius vermiculatus
The body is elongated with a large, slightly flattened head. Females are smaller and paler than males. Coloration: the body is gray-blue with reddish-brown markings. Cheeks are pink with white spots. Lower jaw is blue. Grows up to 3.5 cm SL.
Did you know? Rhinogobius vermiculatus is a small freshwater fish native to East Asia. It inhabits rivers and streams with sandy or gravelly bottoms. This colorful goby is popular in the aquarium trade due to its vibrant colors and peaceful nature. 🎨🌊
Catalaphyllia jardinei ✨
Known as the "elegant coral" or "maned coral," this large stony coral is found in the western Pacific Ocean. It is the sole representative of the monotypic genus Catalaphyllia. First described by William Saville-Kent in 1893 as Pectinia jardinei, this coral is a striking sight on the reef.
Catalaphyllia jardinei is known for its distinctive appearance, with long, flowing tentacles that resemble a mane, giving it its common name. The coral's polyps are large and fleshy, and can come in a variety of colors, including brown, green, and yellow. This coral is a hermaphrodite, meaning it contains both male and female reproductive organs.
Interestingly, C. jardinei is a relatively slow-growing coral, with a growth rate of about 0.3 to 1 cm per year. Despite its slow growth, it plays an important role in the reef ecosystem, providing shelter and habitat for a variety of marine organisms.
The Mimic Octopus 🐙
The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is an incredible cephalopod known for its ability to impersonate up to 15 different marine species, including the lionfish, sea snake, jellyfish, sea anemone, sole, giant crab, zebra fish, and more. This mollusk is capable of selecting the most advantageous camouflage depending on the specific predator that happens to be nearby, making it a true master of disguise in the ocean.
Blenniidae Fish Larvae 🐠
Total length around 2 cm. The black chromatophores on the head and propeller-shaped open pectoral fins are very eye-catching. 🌟
Did you know that blennies are a diverse group of small marine fish, with over 800 species described? They are known for their unique adaptations, such as the ability to climb rocks and coral using their pectoral fins. 🤓
Ghost Fish 👻
Camouflage is the key to survival for many marine creatures. When necessary, it can blend in with the bottom or transform into a seaweed branch.
Tubeworms mainly live at depths of 2 to 12 meters, close to seaweed and corals. This helps them instantly blend in with their surroundings by changing color in dangerous situations.
Fun fact: Some species of ghost fish can even change their shape to mimic other animals or plants for added protection! 🐠🌿
Whale Shark: The Gentle Giant of the Sea 🌊
If you're afraid of marine predators, you can breathe easy around the whale shark. These graceful creatures feed by filtering water through their gill arches, allowing them to capture their main food source: plankton and small fish.
Fun fact: When feeding, a whale shark's mouth can stretch open more than a meter wide! 🐳
Grimalditeuthis 🦑
This deep-sea squid is named after the Grimaldi family, the ruling house of Monaco. Prince Albert I of Monaco was an amateur teuthologist who first began studying deep-sea squids by collecting "precious belches" from sperm whales. 🌊
Fun fact: Grimalditeuthis can grow up to 4 meters long and has bioluminescent organs to attract prey in the dark depths of the ocean! 🌟
Spirobranchus giganteus 🎄
This species of polychaete worm belongs to the family Serpulidae. They are widely distributed in the tropical seas of the world's oceans. Spirobranchus giganteus leads a sessile lifestyle in close association with stony corals, building calcareous tubes in depressions on the surface of coral colonies. Representatives of this species are often kept in aquariums along with coral polyps.
🐚 Interesting fact: The Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) gets its name from its resemblance to a tiny fir tree. Its colorful, spiraled radioles protrude from its tube-like home, resembling the branches of a pine tree. These radioles are used for filter feeding and gas exchange. When threatened, the worm quickly retracts its radioles into its protective tube.
Garden eels - Heterocongrinae 🔥
These unique eels live in colonies on sandy bottoms, with a single colony covering up to 4 square kilometers. The longest species can reach 120 cm, but most are around 60 cm. They feed on zooplankton and small fish. Garden eels never leave their burrows, only extending out to mate with a partner. 🐠
Fun fact: When disturbed, garden eels quickly retreat into their burrows, which they create by secreting mucus to cement sand grains together. 🏰
Dolphins swimming nearby deter sharks from attacking humans 🐬
Once, researchers conducted an experiment. They created a fake dolphin and lowered it into the water with bait in a area known for sharks. No shark dared to attack the prey. When the fake dolphin was removed, the bait was instantly attacked. There are many known cases of dolphins saving humans from sharks.
Bicolor Blenny 🐟
Hides in coral reefs. It feeds on small crustaceans and mollusks. Blennies play an important role in the ecosystem of coral reefs.
These colorful little fish are found in the shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific region. They have a unique appearance with their elongated bodies and large eyes. Bicolor blennies are known for their vibrant colors, which can vary from yellow to blue and even black.
Interestingly, blennies have special glands in their skin that produce a slimy mucus. This mucus helps protect them from predators and parasites. It's also believed to have antimicrobial properties, which aids in wound healing.
Blennies are not just beautiful to look at, but they also serve a vital purpose in their ecosystem. By feeding on small invertebrates, they help control the population of these creatures, maintaining a balance in the coral reef community. 🐠🌊
Epinephelus tukula 🐟
This is a large marine fish that inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. They have a massive body and are predators, feeding on small fish and other marine animals. Giant groupers can reach impressive sizes and weights, and their keen eyesight and stealth make them effective hunters. 🎣
Did you know? The giant grouper is the largest bony fish in the world, with some individuals reaching over 8 feet in length and weighing up to 800 pounds! 😮
Salarias ramosus ✨
This peculiar and hardworking marine fish feeds on algae, which is why it's also known as the "lawnmower blenny." It's distinguished from other fish by the whisker-like filaments near its eyes. 🐠
Did you know that the lawnmower blenny is a popular choice for marine aquariums due to its algae-controlling abilities? This little fish works tirelessly to keep its surroundings clean! 🧹💦
Idioteuthis cordiformis🫀
With a mantle size of about a meter, this squid is notable for its distinctive appearance and its Latin name, which translates to "Heart-shaped idiocy". Despite its unusual name, Idioteuthis cordiformis is a fascinating deep-sea creature known for its bioluminescent organs and ability to change color. Found in the mesopelagic zone of the world's oceans, this species remains largely mysterious due to the challenges of studying deep-sea life. 🌊🐙
Pugettia producta 🦀
Known as the northern kelp crab or shield-backed kelp crab, this species belongs to the family Epialtidae. These crabs are commonly found in kelp forests along the Pacific coast of North America. They are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to control sea urchin populations. 🌿🦀
Pugettia producta is a colorful crab species that comes in various shades of red, purple, and brown. They have a distinctive shield-like carapace and long, slender legs adapted for climbing on kelp fronds. 🌊🌿
Interestingly, these crabs are known to engage in a unique behavior called "kelp surfing." They climb to the top of kelp fronds and ride the waves, allowing them to disperse to new kelp beds and find food. 🏄♂️🌊
Crocodiles 🐊
They swallow small stones to improve digestion
Swallowing stones, known as "gastroliths", is beneficial for crocodiles that eat their prey whole, or for animals with shells and bones. Gastroliths help grind up food in the stomach. These stones can remain in a crocodile's stomach for years.
Fun fact: Some ancient fossils of crocodiles have been found with gastroliths still inside their stomachs! This shows that the practice of swallowing stones for digestion goes back millions of years in the crocodile family tree. 🌿🦴
Dumbo Octopus 🐙
At the pelagic larval stage, drifting in the inky darkness of the open ocean at a depth of several thousand feet. This is the same creature as in the engraving from my "Aliens" collection, "Alien #12".
Spirocodon 🪼
Spirocodon is a monotypic genus of hydrozoans, with Spirocodon saltatrix being the only species in the genus. It inhabits the northwest Pacific Ocean and was first described in 1818 by German naturalist and explorer Wilhelm Gottlieb Tilesius von Tilenau. 🌊
Did you know that Spirocodon saltatrix is a unique species of hydrozoan? It's the sole representative of its genus, making it a fascinating subject for marine biologists studying the diversity of life in the Pacific Ocean. 🌊🔍
🐟 South American Arowana
Large, graceful fish with attractive coloration. They look stunning in spacious, elongated show aquariums. Arowanas are active predators that enthusiastically attack smaller tank mates. These ancient fish are sometimes called "living fossils" as they have remained relatively unchanged for millions of years. With their unique appearance and captivating movements, South American Arowanas make a striking addition to any aquarium.
Two-headed turtle 🐢
There are several types of conjoined twins, also known as Siamese twins. In this case, it is called polycephaly. Polycephaly is a condition in which an animal has more than one head.
🐢 Polycephalic animals are rare but have been documented in various species, including turtles, snakes, and cats. The two heads may share a single body or have separate bodies fused together.
🐢 The exact cause of polycephaly is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from genetic mutations or developmental abnormalities during the embryonic stage. Each head typically has its own brain and can control its respective body parts independently.
🐢 Despite the challenges posed by having two heads, some polycephalic animals can survive and even thrive in captivity. They often attract significant attention due to their unique appearance and the curiosity surrounding their condition.
Cabangus regius 🐯
This small sea slug inhabits the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Dark brown growths are located on its back. 🌊🐚
Also known as the Royal Cabangus, this colorful nudibranch is a master of camouflage, blending in with its surroundings. Its intricate patterns and vibrant colors make it a fascinating subject for underwater photographers. 📸🌈
Interestingly, the Royal Cabangus feeds on marine algae and sponges, using its specialized radula to scrape off the surface of these organisms. This feeding adaptation allows it to thrive in its coral reef habitat. 🐚🍃
Deep-sea lobster Eryoneicus 🥰
It swims and feeds in the water column until it is ready to transform into a young lobster and settle on the ocean floor.
Lobster larvae are covered with thousands of tiny hairs, which they lose over time as they transform into adult specimens. The larva is about five centimeters long.
Did you know? Lobsters are known for their long lifespan - some species can live up to 50 years! They also have the ability to regenerate lost limbs.
Mesmerizing 🦀
These crabs are called "fiddler crabs" due to their extremely large claw, which often exceeds the size of the crab itself. However, only male crabs possess this oversized claw. During the mating season, males use this claw to attract females, trying to catch their attention with dynamic movements. The male whose movements are the most impressive to the female can expect a "date".
Fiddler crabs are known for their unique mating ritual, where males wave their large claws to attract females. This behavior is believed to have evolved to help them stand out in their natural habitat, which is often crowded with other crabs.
Blennidae Family 🐠
This family of fish inhabits seas and oceans around the world. Blennid larvae have an elongated body and distinctive fins that help them move through the water. 🌊
Did you know? Some blennies can change their coloration to blend in with their surroundings, making them masters of camouflage! 🎨
Giant Blue Marlin 🔥
The giant blue marlin is a large fish found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. It can grow up to 16 feet long and weigh up to 1,800 pounds. Marlin are top predators, feeding on fish, squid, and other marine life.
Did you know? The blue marlin is known for its incredible speed, reaching up to 50 mph in short bursts. It's also a popular game fish, prized by anglers for its strength and beauty. 🎣💪
Corydoras napoenzis 🥰
Corydoras napoenzis, also known as the Napo Cory, is a peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish. They feel most comfortable in groups of 4-6 individuals, constantly sifting through the substrate in search of leftover food particles. These industrious little fish act as the aquarium's "janitors," helping to keep the tank clean. Completely harmless to plants and other tank mates, they make wonderful additions to any peaceful community aquarium. 🐠🌿
Chromodoris willani 🧬
This is a species of sea slug from the family Chromodorididae, which belongs to the order of nudibranchs. They are found in the western Pacific Ocean, ranging from Indonesia and the Philippines to Vanuatu.
Chromodoris willani is known for its vibrant coloration, with a white body covered in purple spots and a bright yellow margin around the edges of its body. These beautiful colors serve as a warning to potential predators that the slug is toxic.
Interestingly, these sea slugs are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. They mate by exchanging sperm with their partner, and both individuals can lay eggs afterward.
In their natural habitat, Chromodoris willani can be found crawling along coral reefs and rocky substrates, feeding on sponges and other small marine organisms. They use their specialized radula, a toothed ribbon-like structure, to scrape off their food from the surfaces they crawl on.
Phyllidia 💕
A genus of sea slugs, nudibranchs, and marine gastropod mollusks without shells from the family Phyllidiidae. These colorful creatures are known for their striking patterns and vibrant colors. Phyllidia species are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, often in coral reefs and rocky coastlines. They feed on sponges and other sessile invertebrates, using their specialized radula to scrape off their prey. Some species of Phyllidia are toxic due to the chemicals they sequester from their food sources, providing them with a defense against predators. 🐚🌈🌊
Upside-Down Jellyfish🪼
One of many species of cnidarians known as upside-down jellyfish. They typically inhabit tidal sands or muddy shallows, shallow lagoons, and around mangrove forests. Often mistaken for anemones, these jellyfish usually keep their mouths facing upwards.