NOAA Ocean Exploration, Gulf of Mexico 2018. Download larger version (mp4, 34.3 MB).
Deep-sea ballet! We spotted this elegantly dancing holothurian, or sea cucumber, while exploring a mound feature at Hidalgo Basin during the Gulf of Mexico 2018 expedition. We often observe sea cucumbers resting on the seafloor, but some (like this one) are masters of buoyancy, able to lift themselves off the seafloor and swim through the water column with strong, rhythmic flexing motions until they reach neutral buoyancy and drift along until their next feeding trip on the bottom.