This beautiful ctenophore was observed during Dive 15 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Ctenophores are predators in the water column, and they swim and hunt for prey. This particular ctenophore has a red stomach, which is useful for hiding any prey they’ve eaten. Because they are completely transparent, any visible prey inside their stomachs may attract larger predators. The color red is also very difficult to see in the deep ocean, helping the ctenophore be as stealthy as possible.
Ctenophore
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 663 KB).

This beautiful ctenophore was observed during Dive 15 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. Ctenophores are predators in the water column, and they swim and hunt for prey. This particular ctenophore has a red stomach, which is useful for hiding any prey they’ve eaten. Because they are completely transparent, any visible prey inside their stomachs may attract larger predators. The color red is also very difficult to see in the deep ocean, helping the ctenophore be as stealthy as possible.

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