Ægiric Whiskerlure

Five thousand meters below sea-level is hardly a place one would expect to find light.

Yet, when an ROV was sent down into the abyss of the Ægiric Ocean, it countered light.

Not just any light, but reddish orange light. A color that should have no place this deep underwater because most animals that live this deep cannot even perceive this color.

But that was the exact purpose of the creature the light was attached to.

The Ægiric whiskerlure (Xegeloichthys fotophoneus) is a species of nienktvis that is among the few Eryobian deep sea creatures capable of seeing red and orange light, a fact which it exploits to the fullest. By utilizing this "invisible" light, it is able to see its surroundings and prey quite clear, while its prey has no idea it is even there.

Art by BobsicleG

Although this is not actually completely true. The whiskerlure has another tool in its arsenal, one which it uses to lure its prey closer.

As the name might suggest, this abyssal nienktvis has a lure on the end of one of its whiskers. This lure however is far more complex than what is commonly seen in deep sea creatures. 

The lure itself is shaped like a small nienktvis.

This form of predatory mimicry is very rare and was only ever documented in certain squid and snake species from old Earth.

The lure of this species even has small bio photophores to create the illusion of eyes.

This lure, together with its use of "invisible light" make the Ægiric whiskerlure an excellent predator that uses its built-in headlights to spot its prey and then deploys its specialized barbel to lure its prey toward its mouth, where rows upon rows of sharp needle like teeth are waiting.

The Ægiric whiskerlure grows to around 13 centimeters long, making quite a sizable creature this deep below the waves.