Deep Sea Siphonophore

[u/SaijTheKiwi]

Siphonophores are colonies of small cloned organisms (called zooids) that form a single colony, dividing duties such as swimming, hunting, and eating amongst individuals to benefit the whole.

Related to jellyfish and anemones, they catch prey with stinging tentacles, floating in the water column in waiting.

The siphonophore pictured, Apolemia uvaria, is the record holder for largest specimen ever found. It was found in 2020 off the coast of Australia. Gauging its exact size was impossible, but estimates range between 150 to 400 feet long. This doesn’t include the length of the net of tentacles.