Siphonophores belong to the Cnidaria, a group of sea animals that includes the corals, hydroids, and true jellyfish. Although a siphonophore appears to be a single organism, each specimen is actually a colony composed of many individual animals. Most colonies are long, thin, transparent pelagic floaters.

There are about 175 species of them. Some siphonophores are the longest animals in the world, and specimens as long as 40 meters have been found. The majority of siphonophores are very long and quite thin, consisting mostly of a clear gelatinous material. That's what makes them look so beautiful and strange. Deep water species have dark orange or red digestive systems that can be seen inside their transparent tissues - such a construction is rare for land creatures, but deep under the waters of the ocean even stranger things and creatures exist! Siphonophores are very fragile and break into many pieces under even the slightest forces. Many siphonophores are bioluminescent, glowing green or blue when disturbed. All siphonophores skilfully catch small fish and crustaceans with their tentacles: they are true born predators.

This one is called Marrus orthocanna. It lives deep under the cold water, mostly in the Arctic. They swim independently amid the ocean and look absolutely amazing!