Archive for the 'Underwater World' Category

Cone shell – Marine Snails with Unique Venom

cone-shell-e28093-marine-snails-with-unique-venomConidae

“For centuries members of the Conidae family have been collected for their unique and intricately designed shells. Only during the last few decades have cone shells become an exciting area for scientific research.” Continue Reading »

Cetorhinus Maximus – aka Basking Shark

cetorhinus-maximus-e28093-aka-basking-sharkThe basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is a huge filter feeding shark which grows to be up to about 33 feet (10 m) long. It is the second-largest shark (after the whale shark). The basking shark is also called the sunfish, the bone shark, the elephant shark, the sailfish shark, and the big mouth shark. Continue Reading »

The Amazing Strawberry Crab Found Off Taiwan

the-amazing-strawberry-crab-found-off-taiwanA marine biologist has discovered a startling new crab species that resembles a large strawberry.

The unusual crustacean was found off the coast of southern Taiwan. It has a dramatic bright red shell covered with small white bumps. Continue Reading »

Deep Blue Chromis – the Deep See Inhabitants

deep-blue-chromis-e28093-the-deep-see-inhabitantsFive new species of the damselfish genus Chromis (Perciformes: Labroidei: Pomacentridae) are described from specimens collected from deep (>60 m) coral-reef habitat in the western Pacific by divers using mixed-gas closed-circuit rebreather gear. Continue Reading »

Siphonophores – Odd Marine Inhabitants

siphonophores-e28093-odd-marine-inhabitantsPortuguese Man o’ War, Physalia physalis

(Cystonectae: Physaliidae)

Scientific classification Continue Reading »

Leptobarbus rubripinna – Also Known As the Red-finned Cigar Shark

leptobarbus-rubripinna-e28093-also-known-as-the-red-finned-cigar-sharkDistribution

Widely-distributed in the Chao Phraya and middle/lower Mekong river systems in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Fish from Peninsular Malaysia and the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra and Borneo are now known to represent L. hoevenii, not a species seen in the aquatic trade as far as we know (see ‘notes’). Continue Reading »

Regalecus glesne – Also Known As Oarfish

regalecus-glesne-e28093-also-known-as-oarfishThe strange-looking oarfish is the longest bony fish in the sea. Known scientifically as Regalecus glesne, it is a member of the Regalecidae family of fishes. The name Regalecidae is derived from the latin word regalis, meaning “royal”. The origin of the oarfish name is unknown, but may refer to the oar-shaped body or the long, oar-like pelvic fins. Because of its long, thin shape, the oarfish fish is sometimes known as the ribbonfish. It is also commonly referred to as the king of herrings. Continue Reading »

Box Jellyfish – You Won’t Survive Its Deadly Venom

box-jellyfish-e28093-you-wont-survive-its-deadly-venomSpecies - Chironex Fleckeri

Description

Box Jellyfish are pale blue and transparent and bell or cubed shaped with four distinct sides, therefore the name box jellyfish. Continue Reading »

Spookfish – Fish that Uses Mirrors for Eyes

spookfish-e28093-fish-that-uses-mirrors-for-eyesA Pacific fish uses mirrors as well as lenses to help it see in the murky ocean depths, scientists have revealed.

The brownsnout spookfish has been known for 120 years, but no live specimen had ever been captured.

Last year, one was caught off Tonga, by scientists from Tuebingen University, Germany. Continue Reading »

Odd Fish With See-through Head

odd-fish-with-see-through-headWith a head like a fighter-plane cockpit, a Pacific barreleye fish shows off its highly sensitive, barrel-like eyes–topped by green, orblike lenses–in a picture released today but taken in 2004. Continue Reading »

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