This is similar to other cephalopods, who use chromatophores to change colour, but which would be useless in the dark, deep waters where vampire squid live. Using light-producing cells called photophores, the vampire squid can illuminate to create patterns that attract prey or frighten predators. When the squid is threatened it can draw its arms over its head to form a spiny defensive web that covers its body. The vampire squid’s eight arms are connected by a web of skin, which looks like a long cape trailing behind it. Depending on the light, these eyes can appear blue…or glowing red! Although they grow to only one foot, the vampire squid has the largest eyes relative to its body size of any animal. The vampire squid has large fins at the top of its body that resemble ear flaps, but which serve as its primary means of propulsion through the water. Originally mistaken for a new species of octopus in 1903, the vampire squid is an ancient species of cephalopod that strangely shares characteristics with both squids and octopodes. Scientists believe that this blinking is a form of communication between fish, and used in the detection of prey.īe sure to swim by and check out the flashlight fish at the aquarium in our Curious Creatures exhibition! VAMPIRE SQUIDĪh, the vampire squid, or Vampyroteuthis infernalis, whose Latin name translates to “infernal vampire from Hell.” Kind of intense.
They can create an on-and-off blinking of this light by covering and uncovering it. The flashlight fish’s light is created by bioluminescent bacteria. Flashlight fish, also called lantern-eye fish, are three species of fish in the family Anomalopidae characterized by bioluminescent organs below their eyes. There’s one species of fish at the aquarium that doesn’t have to worry about that, of course. If you plan on trick-or-treating in the dark, it’s best for you to carry a flashlight or reflectors with you to help you watch your step and alert cars to your presence. Scientists don’t know why, but to the unfortunate fish fooled by their lure, it certainly serves as their final resting place. Like the anglerfish, it uses a small lure on its head to attract prey.Īs far as I can tell, coffinfish get their name from the fact that the inside of their mouths are completely black. The coffinfish uses its pectoral fins to “walk” on the ocean floor (be sure check out its relative, the frogfish, in our Curious Creatures exhibit, who do the same thing) and can fill its body with water to enlarge itself when threatened (similar to some species of pufferfish). Coffinfish live between 274 and 305 metres and are found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. This sea toad (part of the Chaunacidae family, which also contains the anglerfish) looks like a pink balloon covered in tiny spines. This slow-moving fish is an ambush predator, meaning it waits patiently for animals to get close before it strikes (easier to do in the murky depths, where it uses electroreception to sense its prey, rather than its small eyes).ĭespite its rather sinister name, the coffinfish is…almost cute. Their dietary staples include fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. They are also known to venture into shallower waters to find prey. Goblin sharks are found globally, at depths between 1,300 and 1,370 metres. The goblin shark has a thin body with blood vessels close to the skin, which give it a pink colouration. Its jaws protrude outward and contain as many as 50 rows of upper teeth and 60 rows of lower teeth. The goblin shark is an ancient species of shark identifiable by a flattened snout that juts from the top of its head. Let’s dive deeper and take a look! GOBLIN SHARKīrace yourself for this one. The ocean is home to a whole graveyard’s worth of creatures who look as scary as they sound, or who practice behaviours that make them ready for Halloween year ‘round. While you might choose to seek out monsters at a haunted house or by watching a classic horror movie, we at the aquarium know that you don’t need to look any further than the ocean to find them.
DRAW A FISH AND FIND IT IN THE VIRTUAL AQUARIUM FULL
Happy Halloween Deep Sea Diary readers! Whether you look forward to Halloween for the jump-scares or for the opportunity to dress up as somebody (or something) else, there’s no doubt that this holiday is full of spooky fun.
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