The technical term for this maneuver is the siphono-flythrough. 😁
Gelatinous zooplankton, like siphonophores, are abundant in the midnight zone. There is a tremendous variety in size and shapes within this group. Some siphonophores tout the title of “longest animals in the world,” with specimens reaching over 36 meters (120 feet) in length. This long siphonophore is made up of many individuals acting as a colony—some are specialized for swimming, feeding, reproduction, or defense.
Most siphonophore species in the ocean are found in the deep sea and are poorly known because it is difficult to sample these delicate animals. You can learn more about this species and many other stunning siphonophores that MBARI researchers and our collaborators have encountered in our newest collaboration with Google Arts and Culture.