SEA CREATURES

SKELETON SHRIMP

Caprellidae is a family of amphipods commonly known as

skeleton shrimps. Their common name denotes the threadlike

slender body which allows them to virtually disappear among

the fine filaments of seaweed, hydroids and bryozoans.

They are sometimes also known as ghost shrimps.

FIREFLY SQUID

Although it looks like the common squid, the sparkling enope

Squid or firefly squid only grows up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long when

it matures and dies after one year. It is commercially fished in

Japan and is known for lighting up the shoreline when large

numbers get washed up.

CARPET SHARK

One look at the photo should explain the name. Although not all

carpet sharks resemble carpets to this extent, as you can see

some really live up to their name.

PINK HANDFISH

Moving around on the sea floor by walking rather than swimming,

they are also known as warty anglers, and their highly modified

fins resemble hands.

SEA PIG

These strange looking creatures live on deep ocean bottoms,

specifically on the abyssal plain in the Atlantic, Pacific and

Indian Ocean, typically at depths of over 1000 metres.

Some related species can be found in the Antarctic.

HARP SPONGE

It may look like a plant under the sea but it’s definitely not.

In fact it is a carnivorous deep sea sponge which was

Discovered in 2012 by a group from the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Research Institute (MBARI). This newly discovered creature lives

several kilometres below the waves. Its usual meal menu includes

copepods and other crustaceans.

ROCK TUNICATE

Often cited as a delicacy in Chile, up close it resembles a

mass of organs inside a rock that eats by sucking in water rich

in organic matter and filtering out microorganisms.

SARCASTIC FRINGEHEAD

Why sarcastic? We’re not sure, but one thing that can be

said of this creature is that it is ferocious. Highly territorial,

when two of these uglies battle it out, they wrestle by pressing

their mouths together as if kissing which allows them to

figure out which is the larger fish and thus the winner

establishes dominance.