We didn’t know that some anemones can swim! Check out this anemone avoiding a predatory leather star:
Octopus Balloon?
This video was captured by the Hercules ROV at a depth of ~2000m while scientists were exploring Southwest Baker Island in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. AMAZING!
This octopus is believed to belong to the Cirroteuthidae family of cirrate octopuses (different from the Dumbo octopus), and lives in ocean depths where light does not penetrate the cold waters.
Grass-eating Shark?
Who knew – there is an omnivorous shark out there! This bonnethead shark in Florida is an example:
Read more at NYTimes 06sep18 or National Geographic 29jun17
Cockatoo Squid
Last month, a cockatoo squid was spotted by the ROV Global Explorer at a depth of ~527m in the Gulf of Alaska. This squid is from the family Cranchiidae and its chic pompadour is actually the animal’s arms and tentacles folded back over its head. Like octopuses and other cephalopods, the cockatoo squid is equipped with chromatophores (pigment-carrying cells) that allow the animal to change colour and reflect traces of light. Amazing likeness to our local fauna!
Shark Neon Signalling
Such an amazing transformation!