1. Vampire squid: Their red eyes and cloaks give them the appearance of vampires. Instead of blood, vampire squid feed on what is known as marine snow – floating debris such as algae, dead plankton and feces.

Photo: Emito.net Vampire squid can spray mucus containing glowing particles from pores at the tips of their arms, covering themselves in a glowing cloud to ward off predators. 

2. Hoodwinker sunfish: Found in the cold waters of the southern hemisphere off the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Peru and South Africa, the blob-like sunfish is estimated to weigh 900kg. They can change dramatically in appearance and morph as they grow, making identification difficult. Photo: Wikipedia

3. Phronima: Phronima live in the twilight zone of oceans around the world, usually at depths of 200 to 1,000 meters below the surface. These cunning copepods, less than an inch long, prey on salps, gelatinous creatures that resemble jellyfish. The mother Phronima uses its crab-like front claws to devour the salp’s insides, living in its empty shell and laying eggs inside. Photo: Science Photo Library

4. Flower Hat Jellyfish : Found off the coasts of Japan, Brazil and Argentina, the beautiful flower hat jellyfish uses its brightly colored tentacles to lure small fish. Measuring up to 6 inches in diameter, this jellyfish alternates between the seafloor and coastal waters. Photo: Live Science
Flower Hat Jellyfish, although rare, sometimes appear in large groups called blooms. This happens when rising water temperatures create more food for the jellyfish, leading to an increase in population. While the sting of a flower crown jellyfish is not fatal to humans, it is quite painful and can cause a rash.

5. Purslane eel: With its black color and wavy tail, it moves quickly in the mid-waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. Despite its slender body, its mouth can suddenly expand like a soap bubble, allowing it to scoop up much larger prey. However, it mainly feeds on small crustaceans due to its small teeth. Photo: Vikram’s Bugs and Animals – Substack

6. Antarctic Giant Squid: The Antarctic Giant Squid is the largest invertebrate ever identified. The deep-sea creature was first identified by zoologist Guy Robson in 1925 after he found two of its tentacles in the stomach of a sperm whale that had washed ashore in the Falkland Islands. Photo: Popular Science

In February 2007, fishermen in the Ross Sea south of Antarctica accidentally caught one of these creatures. According to Hoyt, the giant squid weighed about 1,000 pounds and was one of the largest ever found.

7. Archerfish: The archerfish, commonly found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, is known for its unique hunting abilities both in and out of the water. In the ocean, these tropical fish hunt crustaceans, but they have also adapted their underwater hunting techniques to detect and shoot spiders, beetles, and other insects clinging to the branches and leaves of mangrove forests. Photo: Wikipedia