Tall bamboo coral trees (Keratoisis flexibilis) are surrounded by fields of unidentified large white anemones and orange-pink flytrap anemones (Actinoscyphia saginata). Small white 'gooseberry' anemones find a feeding perch right on the bamboo coral branches.
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Bamboo Anemones
Tall bamboo coral trees (Keratoisis flexibilis) are surrounded by fields of unidentified large white anemones and orange-pink flytrap anemones (Actinoscyphia saginata). Small white 'gooseberry' anemones find a feeding perch right on the bamboo coral branches.
Dandelion Anemones
A dense cluster of unidentified dandelion-like anemones, intertwined with spiral vestimentiferan tubeworms waves back and forth in the current. The tight cluster of small anemones sits among a field of larger white anemones.
A dense cluster of unidentified dandelion-like anemones, intertwined with spiral vestimentiferan tubeworms waves back and forth in the current. The tight cluster of small anemones sits among a field of larger white anemones.
Barrelfish (Hyperoglyphe perciformis)
Much like Amberjacks on shallow reefs, fast and agile Barrelfish (Hyperoglyphe perciformis) patrol deep reefs in schools, preying upon squid, jellyfish, and small fishes.
Much like Amberjacks on shallow reefs, fast and agile Barrelfish (Hyperoglyphe perciformis) patrol deep reefs in schools, preying upon squid, jellyfish, and small fishes.
Rattail (Nezumia aequalis)
Not a typical inhabitant of deep-reef biotopes, the rattail (or grenadier) cruises nose-down over open substrate around the reefs, searching for small benthic prey.
Not a typical inhabitant of deep-reef biotopes, the rattail (or grenadier) cruises nose-down over open substrate around the reefs, searching for small benthic prey.
Squat Lobster (Eumunida picta)
A regular and abundant inhabitant of western Atlantic Lophelia reefs, this red species of squat lobster with white-tipped chelae and legs perches atop rocks and coral fronds, pincers at the ready to instantly snag an unwary midwater fish that approaches too close. A more cyrptic long-armed relative guards a chemo-seep furrow.
A regular and abundant inhabitant of western Atlantic Lophelia reefs, this red species of squat lobster with white-tipped chelae and legs perches atop rocks and coral fronds, pincers at the ready to instantly snag an unwary midwater fish that approaches too close. A more cyrptic long-armed relative guards a chemo-seep furrow.
Tinselfish (Grammicolepis brachiusculus)
Sculling along in triggerfish-fashion, the Tinselfish (Grammicolepis brachiusculus) hovers as brown dead Lophelia coral is collected, along with a pencil urchin (Cidaris rugosa) and patches of blue desmacollid sponge. With its tubular mouth permanently frozen open, the Tinselfish vacuums up small crustaceans living on Lophelia.
Sculling along in triggerfish-fashion, the Tinselfish (Grammicolepis brachiusculus) hovers as brown dead Lophelia coral is collected, along with a pencil urchin (Cidaris rugosa) and patches of blue desmacollid sponge. With its tubular mouth permanently frozen open, the Tinselfish vacuums up small crustaceans living on Lophelia.
Caristius Salp
Enormous fins spread wide enable the manefish (Caristius sp, probably C. maderensis) to drift motionlessly in midwater, here in the camouflaging company of a luminescent colonial salp. This specimen is the first record of the species in the Gulf of Mexico.
Enormous fins spread wide enable the manefish (Caristius sp, probably C. maderensis) to drift motionlessly in midwater, here in the camouflaging company of a luminescent colonial salp. This specimen is the first record of the species in the Gulf of Mexico.
Lophelia Coral Thicket
Small Lophelia sprigs proliferate into a dense mass of white living branches, 1-2 m tall. Over time, groups of coral bushes coalesce to form massive reefs hundreds of meters across.
Small Lophelia sprigs proliferate into a dense mass of white living branches, 1-2 m tall. Over time, groups of coral bushes coalesce to form massive reefs hundreds of meters across.
Ragged-Tooth Shark (Odontaspis ferox)
A true deep-reef denizen, the 3-4 m long female Ragged-Tooth Shark (Odontaspis ferox) navigates skillfully through Lophelia coral bushes. This specimen is only the second reported for the species in the Gulf of Mexico. The prominent notch in the first dorsal fin may be a wound received from a male during mating.
A true deep-reef denizen, the 3-4 m long female Ragged-Tooth Shark (Odontaspis ferox) navigates skillfully through Lophelia coral bushes. This specimen is only the second reported for the species in the Gulf of Mexico. The prominent notch in the first dorsal fin may be a wound received from a male during mating.
Coral Sampling
Small sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
Small sprigs of glass coral are snipped off by the submersible's manipulator and transferred to a multi-chambered sampler for bacterial and genetic analyses. Attracted by the disturbance, a large Conger Eel (Conger oceanicus) then a Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus), investigates the scene.
Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus)
A characteristic predator on deep coral and rock reefs, the Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) reaches lengths up to 1 m.
A characteristic predator on deep coral and rock reefs, the Snowy Grouper (Epinephelus niveatus) reaches lengths up to 1 m.