The deep-sea vent theory suggests that life may have begun at submarine hydrothermal vents spewing key hydrogen-rich molecules. Their rocky nooks could then have concentrated these molecules together and provided mineral catalysts for critical reactions. Even now, these vents, rich in chemical and thermal energy, sustain vibrant ecosystems.
https://www.livescience.com/24-volcanic-origin-life.html
How the primitive Earth cooked up proteins is a chemical mystery. These molecules - vital to biological functions - are made of long strands of hundreds of amino acids, but researchers are unclear how even some of the shortest amino acid chains, called peptides, formed prior to the dawn of living organisms.
Recent experiments have demonstrated how a volcanic gas, carbonyl sulfide (COS), may have been instrumental in the "prebiotic" build-up of peptides.
There are several mechanisms for connecting amino acids. Organisms use enzymes, and chemists have identified other catalysts that can do the job. However, Leslie Orgel from the Salk Institute points out that few of these things were ingredients of Earth's environment billions of years ago.
"With carbonyl sulfide, we have a very realistic agent," Orgel said. This gas is known to fume out of volcanoes today and was likely present in the planet's fiery past.
Orgel and colleagues formed peptides by adding COS to a watery solution containing various amino acids at room temperature. About 7 percent of the amino acids formed pairs and triplets. This peptide yield increased to as high as 80 percent when the researchers added metal ions to the solution.
https://www.leisurepro.com/blog/explore-the-blue/5-marine-creatures-live-near-hydrothermal-vents/
Five Marine Creatures That Live Near Hydrothermal Vents
Some of the most prominent marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents are siboglinid tube worms, which root themselves to the ocean floor, growing up to 6.6 feet in length. They lack a digestive system, absorbing all of their nutrients from bacteria living within their tissues.
An extremely common group of organisms found in the hydrothermal vent habitat are gastropods, which includes slugs and snails of varying sizes. Over 300 species of gastropods have been identified near hydrothermal vents thus far.
Flitting among the tube worms around hydrothermal vents are zoarcid fish, which are commonly referred to as pink vent fish due to their appearance. Surprisingly, these ray-finned marine creatures are the top predators of the marine creatures that live near hydrothermal vents, feeding on anything from mussels to smaller tube worms.
One sly predator that lives among the vents but is not often seen is the deep sea vent octopus, which feeds mainly on crabs and smaller crustaceans. This octopus lacks an ink sac and measures only 7.2 inches in length, making it well-adapted for life in this extreme habitat.
Crabs belonging to the genus Kiwa are a widespread marine creature that lives near hydrothermal vents. They feed mainly on the abundant chemotrophic bacteria living in their ecosystem. Interestingly, these crabs have been known to rhythmically wave their appendages in an effort to improve the flow of methane and hydrogen sulfide from the vents.
The above referenced site provides excellent pictures of these creatures.