bathypelagian

The bathypelagian is a zone of the pelagic division of the ocean. It is located at depths generally considered to be between 1,000 and 4,000 meters (3,300 to 13,100 feet). This zone is also known as the "midnight zone" because sunlight does not penetrate these depths, resulting in perpetual darkness. The water pressure in the bathypelagian is immense, increasing with depth, and temperatures are consistently cold, typically ranging from 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (36 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit).

Life in the bathypelagian is adapted to these extreme conditions. Organisms living here are often bioluminescent, using light for communication, hunting, or defense. Many species have developed specialized sensory organs to detect prey or avoid predators in the absence of light. The fauna includes a variety of fish, such as anglerfish and viperfish, as well as invertebrates like squid and jellyfish. Food is scarce, and many bathypelagic creatures have evolved slow metabolisms and large mouths to consume any available sustenance. The ecosystem is largely sustained by marine snow, which is organic matter that drifts down from the upper layers of the ocean.