Intense Fasting

These shrimp-like crustaceans called Gnathophausia are incredibly hardy and only need to eat every few months.
(© 2012 KJ Osborn, Smithsonian )

Although usually found in deeper waters, this Gnathophausia was swimming near the top of its typical range when it was captured in the biocube. The body of the animal is red, a common adaptation among deep-water animals. The color red is invisible when you shine blue or green light on it, the color of most animals’ bioluminescent searchlights. These shrimp-like crustaceans are incredibly hardy and only need to eat every few months. See more images of mid-water creatures in our slideshow.