Water arteries in the form of oceans, seas, rivers and lakes cover more than 70% of our planet. Therefore, it is not surprising that many mysterious creatures live in them. The largest of them have become popular among people, they are completely researched by scientists, many programs and documentaries are shot about them.
However, microscopic organisms are not well known, despite their abundance. It is hard to believe that these miniature inhabitants of the sea cope with treacherous depths and survive among hordes of predators. And the way they manage to not only survive, but also to develop, is admirable.
And here are some of them ...
10
Nudibranchs
Nudibranchs are called gastropods, the minimum length of which can be 0.64 centimeters. In the photographs they look bright with a large number of patterns and feathered coloring.
However, nudibranchs may vary in size, color, and shape (they have neither a shell nor a permanent mantle) depending on the habitat. Most often, nudibranchs are found in tropical waters at shallow depths, but can also exist in temperate climates. Their life span is one year.
These microscopic organisms are hermaphrodites, which allows them to mate with any mature nudibranch mollusk. Despite their choosy diet, they can eat various creatures, including other nudibranchs.
In some countries, for example, Chile, they are used for cooking. Nudibranchs are cooked or eaten raw, but nothing is known about their taste.
We already wrote about them on most-beauty.tu in our articles about amazing sea creatures that live on the planet. We strongly recommend that you follow the link, there are many beautiful animals waiting for you, which you never knew about.
9
Pygmy Seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti)
The dwarf seahorse was discovered recently by scientists and is considered one of the smallest creatures on Earth. It was discovered by researchers quite by accident in the process of studying coral reefs in the Pacific waters. The study of pygmy seahorses is still ongoing, it is known that their average length is from 1 to 2 centimeters.
The yellow or orange dwarf horse uses fan corals to disguise, which allows him to survive in the ocean of predators.
The primitiveness of the digestive system of the pygmy skates and the small size formed their diet. These creatures feed on newborn shrimp and other small crustaceans.
Like other types of skates, the offspring of the "pygmies" are hatched by males. The mating process is quite interesting - the female and the male are pressed against each other, after which the first throws eggs into the open pocket of the male individual. Dwarf seahorses are considered monogamous, and spend their entire short life with one individual.
8
Ribbon Coral Shrimp (Dasycaris zanzibarica)
The length of the ribbon coral shrimp is about 1.5 cm, which is several times shorter than the average shrimp, the average length of which varies from 4 to 8 cm. They have a light color with white or red spots, and most of the body is covered with spectacular spikes.
From the name of these creatures it is clear that they live on corals, using them to disguise themselves at a depth of 10 to 210 meters. Corals not only help shrimp hide, but also provide them with food. They feed on plankton, also living in or near corals. In addition, this type of shrimp can be called a "coral nurse", as they eat algae and parasites that destroy their habitat.
7
Dwarf Luminous Shark (Etmopterus perryi)
Etmopterus Perryi, this is perhaps the smallest shark in the world, the length of a mature individual does not exceed 20 centimeters. This shark was discovered only in 1964, so the process of studying the creature continues to this day.
However, it can already be argued that a dwarf luminous shark lives in the waters of the Caribbean Sea off the coast of South America at a depth of 300-460 meters. They have a dark brown color with longitudinal stripes of black color and small scales called skin teeth.
Despite its small size, this shark is carnivorous, and eats krill and other microscopic crustaceans. Like other representatives of the genus, it has photophores that provide the shark with a luminescent glow.
The life expectancy of a dwarf luminous shark is still unknown. It is believed that their life cycle is quite short due to the large number of parasites and predators attacking these creatures. They also often fall into the network of anglers.
By the way, there is an interesting article about the most beautiful sharks in the world on most-beauty.ru.
6
Sea urchin (Echinocyamus scaber)
The length of Echinocyamus scaber, the smallest sea urchin, is 6 millimeters across the body! It is usually found in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. In appearance, this genus of hedgehogs resembles small balls with needles throughout the body. They live in small crevices, flooded with water or under a layer of sand. Miniature sea urchins change color depending on where they live.
Despite their size, they are no different from larger representatives of a kind. Their ambulacral system allows you to stay and move underwater through muscle contraction. In order not to become prey of predators, sea urchins seek food in the dark. They eat algae and other plants, as well as small underwater organisms.
And about unusual sea creatures, similar to fantastic aliens on most-beauty.ru there is a fascinating article.
5
Dwarf gobies (Pandaka pygmaea)
Dwarf goby, this is one of the smallest species of fish, whose length barely reaches 9 millimeters. Initially, scientists believed that this species of gobies lives only near the Philippines, but relatively recently they were found in the territorial waters of Fiji, Singapore and Bali. They live in muddy muddy water at a depth of 2 meters, and hide behind numerous aquatic plants.
The bodies of these fish are completely transparent and painted with four transverse stripes for better camouflage, as well as covered with small scales. Dwarf gobies feed on plankton found in the habitat, although they do not disdain aquatic plants.
4
Pea Crab (Pinnixa faba)
Pea crab got its name due to its miniature size and rounded shape, similar to a pea. This type of crab is the smallest in the world - the size of the male does not exceed 0.8 centimeters in adulthood. The female pea crabs are light pink in color, and the males are dark brown in color.
Some researchers attribute pea crabs to parasites, as they live inside mollusks, using them as a food provider and as protection against predators. True, they do not eat the mollusks themselves, but the food they consume. This allows other scientists to relate them to symbionts or “companions”.
Some people call pea crabs oyster, as they often live in oysters, which fishermen catch in the Chesapeake Bay and off the Atlantic.
3
Asterinia (Patiriella parvivipara)
Asterinia or spiny starfish is considered the smallest species of starfish. Its size is commensurate with a human nail. It was discovered only in 2007. Asterinia has a yellow-orange color and lives in shallow water off the southern coast of Australia, along with other miniature organisms.
Along with other starfish, asterinium is echinoderm and is not endowed with bones. In fact, the starfish, as the starfish used to be called, is not at all fish. In its structure, it is more like sea urchins.
Some asterinias may have five "arms", as well as representatives of medium-sized starfish. However, often this kind of star is born with six limbs, which is very unusual for miniature starfish. Based on the English name (paddled-spined sea star), it can be understood that the limbs are represented as lobes with spikes. Their life cycle is surprising in that adults are able to fertilize on their own, and offspring are developing at an abnormally fast pace.
2
Dwarf Octopus Star (Octopus wolfi)
Many videos with this octopus are of interest not only because of its size, but also due to its unusual behavior. Octopus wolfi weighs about 28 grams with a length of 13 centimeters, including eight-centimeter tentacles.
Often, these dwarf octopuses are found in unpolluted and warm waters near the Cayman Islands, but can survive in other habitats. In compensation for its miniature size, nature rewarded dwarf octopuses with a poisonous substance that they inject into their prey. Although most octopuses eat any crustacean, some individuals are quite picky about food. Their playful disposition and high intelligence is of interest to people watching a funny creature at a distance.
1
Paedocypris progenetica
This tropical fish is the smallest in the world (length 7.9 mm). Researchers Tan Heok Hui and Maurice Cottelat discovered it in 2007 in the peat bogs of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. The water acidity in these swamps is 100 times higher than the rain and up to 3 pH.
Water used to be considered unsuitable for life, however, over time, scientists have proven and found several species of living creatures that live in Sumatra peat bogs. The body of paedocypris progenetica is almost completely transparent. Males are endowed with small pelvic fins that help them in mating. The lifespan of these dwarf fish is unknown, however, scientists promise to soon give an answer to this question.
Conclusion
This rating showed how unknown the world around remains, and, despite the development of technology, we will not tire of being amazed at tiny creatures that are successfully fighting for their lives in a world full of obstacles and dangers.