6 Otherworldly Deep-Sea Creatures Spotted By CA Scientists

MONTEREY, CA — A slew of glimmering, colorful, fantastical creatures lurk in the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean.

They swim far out of sight of beachgoers, surfers and snorkelers. But these captivating deep-sea animals will have their rare day in the sun at an upcoming Monterey Bay Aquarium exhibit slated to debut April 9, called "Into the Deep."

Videos of luminous, otherworldly animals will go on display thanks to a $15 million donation from The Grainger Family Fund. Pandemic-fueled closures allowed the aquarium to focus on assembling the exhibit, stacked with animals found in the Monterey Bay's underwater canyon. It will include such show-stopping specimens as sea stars, a pink sea urchin and an animal that appears to wear a hula skirt.

“Connecting people with the astounding diversity of life found beneath the waves and inspiring conservation of the ocean is what Monterey Bay Aquarium was created to do,” said Julie Packard, executive director of the aquarium. “This unprecedented exhibition tells the story of the deep sea and reveals the many ways the deep ocean sustains our lives on the surface.”

Ready to enter the deep? Here are six mind-boggling deep-sea creatures you've got to see.

1. Sea Angels

Sea angels are swimming snails named for the way they rhythmically flap their wings, according to the aquarium.

Cute right? Well, maybe not so much.

"Using hooked tentacles, the sea angel rips prey right out of its shell," according to the aquarium.

2. Bloody-Belly Comb Jelly

Photos of the bloody-belly show off the creature's vivid red color, but they can go undetected by predators.

"In the darkness of the deep sea, animals that are red appear black and blend into the dark background," according to the aquarium.

3. Barreleye Fish

Ever wondered what it would be like to look back into your own head? Just ask the barreleye.

"Even in a world full of adaptations for seeing in near-total darkness, the barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma) stands out as one of the most bizarre," the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute said.

4. Basket Sea Stars

The curly, gnarled arms of these deep-sea animals snatch up prey and help the animal scoot around, according to the Seattle Aquarium.

Aquarists with the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit in Florida in 2019 observed a basket sea star separate into two separate parts and appear to remain healthy, according to the Smithsonian.

5. Lumpfish

Lumpfish may not always be bright and colorful, but you might get a kick out of the way these fish flutter about the ocean floor.

"These stumpy, lumpy swimmers flap their fins to scoot through the sea and cling to rocks with a special suction disc," the aquarium said.

6. Brisingid Sea Stars

Ever feel like you could use an extra hand around the house? Imagine having 20.

These sea stars have six to 20 arms to snag food particles as they float past, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Learn more about the aquarium's "Into the Dark" exhibit.