"It's like something from a sci fi movie.” Watch footage of a primitive ocean animal billowing out what looks like ominous plumes of smoke

An underwater photographer was amazed by the sight of several barrel sponges releasing what looked like ominous plumes of smoke into the water. He’d actually caught them in the act of spawning. The experience was “like something from a sci fi movie,” says photographer Aaron Sanders on Instagram.

Sanders came across the stunning spectacle while diving with Mermaid Liveaboards in the Banda Sea, Indonesia. “I was fortunate enough to witness multiple Barrel Sponges [releasing] plumes of their spawn into the water column,” he says.

• What's the oldest creature on earth?
• Meet the ocean quahog, a strange creature that can live to 500 years old
• What was the first animal on earth?

Credit: Aaron Sanders