An underwater scene featuring a large textured rock surrounded by smaller pebbles and sediment, with delicate coral-like structures rising in the background.
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Crinoid
Amongst a terrain of nodules and sediment, this crinoid was observed perched on top of an octocoral during Dive 02 of the 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration cruise. The crinoid’s position above the seafloor provides it with better access to food floating by in the water column as well as protection from potential predators.
Credit

NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2026 Cook Islands ROV Exploration.