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5 Marine Creatures That Live Near Hydrothermal Vents

5 Marine Creatures That Live Near Hydrothermal Vents

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on June 6, 2017

If you know what a geyser is, you have a pretty basic understanding of a hydrothermal vent. Hydrothermal vents are simply underwater geysers, comprised of cracks or fissures in the ocean floor from which mineral-rich and geothermally heated water bursts forth. This water is heated by radioactive decay from the planet’s continuous formation, appearing as billows of clouds projecting from the fissure.

Although these bizarre, volcano-like vents may seem inhospitable, there are actually many marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents. The strange and almost alien landscape that hydrothermal vents create is one full of unique and highly adapted organisms. This rich ecosystem was not seen by humans for thousands of years, with assuredly more marine creatures waiting to be discovered. Let’s take a look at just five of these incredible organisms here.

Tube Worms

marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents
via NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Galapagos Rift Expedition 2011

Some of the most prominent marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents are siboglinid tube worms, which root themselves to the ocean floor, growing up to 6.6 feet in length. They lack a digestive system, absorbing all of their nutrients from bacteria living within their tissues. Chemotrophic bacteria that convert hydrogen sulfide into organic sustenance are some of the most important organisms in the hydrothermal vent habitat. Many of the marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents utilize these bacteria as a source of food.

Gastropods

marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents
via Wikipedia

An extremely common group of organisms found in the hydrothermal vent habitat are gastropods, which includes slugs and snails of varying sizes. Over 300 species of gastropods have been identified near hydrothermal vents thus far. Many of these species have close relatives or sister-species living in geographically separate vents, suggesting a single origin vent in which these gastropods evolved.

Zoarcid Fish

marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents
via NSF.gov

Flitting among the tube worms around hydrothermal vents are zoarcid fish, which are commonly referred to as pink vent fish due to their appearance. Surprisingly, these ray-finned marine creatures are the top predators of the marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents, feeding on anything from mussels to smaller tube worms.

Deep Sea Vent Octopus

marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents
via flickr/NOAA Ocean Explorer

One sly predator that lives among the vents but is not often seen is the deep sea vent octopus, which feeds mainly on crabs and smaller crustaceans. This octopus lacks an ink sac and measures only 7.2 inches in length, making it well-adapted for life in this extreme habitat.

Kiwa Crabs

marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents
via Andrew Thurber, Oregon State University

Crabs belonging to the genus Kiwa are a widespread marine creature that lives near hydrothermal vents. They feed mainly on the abundant chemotrophic bacteria living in their ecosystem. Interestingly, these crabs have been known to rhythmically wave their appendages in an effort to improve the flow of methane and hydrogen sulfide from the vents. This increases the amount of food available to the bacteria and keeps the crab’s main food supply abundant. Upon discovery, it was colloquially named the “Hasselhoff crab” as an homage to former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff due to its luxurious coat of long hairs.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro