Spider crab on a deep sea mussel bed

Spider crabs and other common deep sea animals commonly visit chemosynthetic communities, like this mussel bed in the Gulf of Mexico, which is similar to a clam or mussel bed we hope to see on the Blake Ridge. They feed on the mussels or smallercreatures that occupy the beds. Image courtesy of Deep East 2001, C. Fisher, NOAA/OER.

Related Links

Deep East 2001

Deep East: Sept 22 log

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery