Deep-sea corals are not the
only habitat formers on seamounts in the Gulf of Alaska.
On Welker Seamount, we discovered a sponge-dominated habitat
with over 50% cover in some parts of the terrain.
Shortspine thornyhead
and grenadier fish were common.
Both of these fish feed on small crustaceans, like these shrimp,
who live on sponges 2,000 feet below the ocean's surface.
This community of shrimp seems to be playing "King of the Hill",
fighting for position around this small rock that somehow landed
in this glass sponge -- one of a half dozen glass sponge species G.P.
Schmahl has documented so far.