The iconic show about a cartoon sponge has just become real life.

The research expedition was off the U.S. coast over a mile under the surface of the Atlantic Ocean when they spotted the duo next to each other.

Christopher Mah was one of the scientists watching a live feed from a submersible launched off the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. He's a research associate at the National Museum of Natural History who frequently collaborates with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He's also an expert on starfish.

Mah immediately noticed the underwater creatures' resemblance to the animated buddies. "They're just a dead ringer for the cartoon characters," Mah tells NPR.

Here's some of the video:

Unfortunately, the two probably weren't best buddies. Turns out, starfish like to eat sponges.

Rather than chilling together under the sea, Mah suspects a different reason for the creatures' closeness: Sea stars like to feed on sponges.

"In all likelihood, the reason that starfish is right next to that sponge is because that sponge is just about to be devoured, at least in part," he says.

Or maybe not. The sponge might be bright yellow because of its chemical defenses, Mah says.

Either way, he says, "The reality is a little crueler than perhaps a cartoon would suggest."

While this is all fine and good, the real question is if any of the researchers saw a squirrel in an astronaut helmet nearby.