Video of 'real life Sponge Bob and Patrick' is incredibly cute until you learn more

Gabriela Miranda, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Deep in the blue sea, about 200 miles from New York City, marine researchers spotted a square-ish, bright yellow sea sponge next to a pink sea star — and they sure look like SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star.

The SpongeBob-like sponge belongs to the genus Hertwigia, although it's bright yellow color is uncommon, marine scientist Christopher Mah told Business Insider. Deep sea creatures usually spotted are bright orange or white because the deep sea rarely emits light.

The sea star is known as a Chondraster and is characterized by its five arms covered with tiny suckers. Chondraster stars can appear as a dark pink, light pink, or white.

"I normally avoid these refs," Mah said on Twitter. But the pair did look like "REAL LIFE Sponge bob and Patrick."

A deep-sea vehicle discovered the sponge and star near an underwater mountain called Retriever seamount, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration blog post. The mountain is about 200 miles of New York City's coast.

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NOAA is sending the remotely-operated vehicles to livestream their journey's and capture images of new creatures below the Atlantic ocean's surface.

But the real-life version of the beloved cartoon isn't as wholesome as it appears at first. Mah said the Patrick-like sea star saw the sponge more as prey than a friend; he even has proof.

"Here is Chondraster feeding on a sponge! (not the yellow "Spongebob" one though)," Mah tweeted with a link to footage from a previous expedition.

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Heat wave aftermath: Millions of mussels, clams and other marine creatures die from heat wave 'catastrophe'

Gentle marine giant: Starving manatees overwhelm Florida rescuers.

The BBC also noted starfish are carnivores who feed on sponges: "Yikes! Be careful Spongebob!"

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star look-alikes found in deep sea

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