Daily Jellyfish: Day 4

Phylum #1: Ctenophora, the comb jellies!

For quite a long time, it was believed that sponges were our most distant cousins, standing on the opposite side of the animal tree of life. Turns out it isn't the case - shiny, jelly-like creatures are the most alien of animals!

But these aren't true jellyfish, or anything close! Comb jellies don't sting, and don't have much in common with jellyfish except in appearance - in fact, they likely evolved most of their body plan completely independently!

They get their name from the rows of combs going down their body, with which they swim. These can often reflect light in unusual way, bringing a gamer vibe in the ocean depths!

Comb jellies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, not all jelly-like. Some scurry on the seafloor, while others look like huge floating ribbons. And some are even voracious predators, hunting... other comb jellies!

Call me sessile because I'm attached to one place (you)

benthic rizz

Wake up babe new fish dropped

Daily fish fact #565

White croaker!

They’re named after the croaking sound they can make via repeatedly rasping a muscle against their swim bladder! And also they’re pretty silvery and light-coloured on their stomach.

Cutie-pie of the sea (x)

*Update: this is not a real octopus but a spy bot for research. In a BBC vid(here), the spy bot helps an octopus to protect itself from sharks.

Daily Cephalopod #57

hello 🐙

sharks are just like giant kitties tbh. they’re just curious silly little creatures. they’re just interested in what’s around them. they bite you the same way a cute little kitty bites you. they’re just trying to get to know you. why do you hate them so so much they think you’re interesting and they’re cute. leave them alone