Toothfish, spider crabs and giant tubeworms are among the animals that have adapted to survive thousands of years on the dark seabed and harsh environmental conditions.
Lantern fish
Lantern fish consists of at least 240 types, distinguished by small organs on the head, tail, and underbelly. This fish is only 2.5 - 15 cm long and lives at a depth of 305 m below the surface of the water. Distributed around the world, the lanternfish plays an important role in the food chain as prey for squid and penguins.
Giant spider crab
With 3.6 m long legs, 41 cm body width and 18 kg weight, this is the largest crab in the world. They live at depths of 152 - 305 m, are endemic to Suruga Bay, Japan. Spider crabs can live up to 100 years and eat everything. However, they are prey for larger species such as squid. To defend themselves, they often camouflage themselves with sponges.
Atlantic wolffish
Atlantic wolffish are voracious eaters. With an eel-like body, large teeth, a large head, and strong jaws, they can eat hard shellfish such as sea urchins, crabs or snails. This species prefers to live in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Anticoagulants in their blood help them survive at depths of 457 m. Adult Atlantic wolffish 1.5 meters long and 18 kg in weight, blue, purplish brown or olive green
Six-gill shark with a sharp nose
The six-gill shark has a large body, large head and luminous blue eyes. According to the Shark Research Institute, USA, they can be 4.5 - 4.9 m long and weigh nearly 600 kg. This species lives at a depth of nearly 2,000 m and moves to shallower waters to hunt. They are gray, brownish-gray or black on the back and lighter on the belly.
Giant tube worms
Giant tubeworms are found on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, around hydrothermal vents and cracks in the seafloor that spew hot water containing acids and toxic gases. Even in the dark and harsh environment, the tubeworms still grow up to 2.4 meters tall. Giant tubeworms are the most prolific of the class of invertebrates, growing 33 centimeters a year, according to the Smithsonian. The tip of the tube is filled with blood and should be bright red.
Paddle fish
The largest bony fish in the world can grow up to 17 meters long and weigh 272 kilograms, according to National Geographic. They are rare animals because they live at a depth of 914 m. Distributed in seas around the world, paddlefish have lumpy skin, covered with guanine. When on the water, their skin is soft and vulnerable.
Lobster squatting
Squat lobsters live at a depth of 1,402 m on the seabed. They are usually blind and have soft bodies. Lobster squatting with no shell on its back. Instead, they hide in crevices, often coral reefs. The squat lobster body is covered with small hairs only a few centimeters long. They are more closely related to crabs than other lobsters.
Jellyfish
Many species of jellyfish live in the depths of the sea such as crown jellyfish, Atolla jellyfish, and Narcomedusae jellyfish. Despite their vibrant colors, they are almost invisible in the deep, dark waters. Jellyfish live in all oceans of the world from cold to warm seas. Their body is 95% water and no brain.
