Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly
by KJ Swan
Title
Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly
Artist
KJ Swan
Medium
Photograph
Description
How could a bright-red blob, with rows of flashing rainbow lights, hope to survive the highly competitive world of deep-sea creatures? Easy, red is invisible in the darkness. Their flashing rainbow cilia require a direct light source so they are also invisible in the deep. Having a red belly also hides a bioluminescent meal.
This species was first described 20 years ago by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. It’s taken decades to figure out what will keep these animals thriving in an aquarium. Scientists discovered their favorite prey and mimicked their oxygen-deficient natural environment to successfully breed them in captivity.
A bioluminescent sea creature glows vividly against a dark backdrop, displaying intricate patterns and vibrant red hues. The creature's delicate structure is highlighted by the contrasting colors.
Uploaded
September 27th, 2024
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