A rare deep sea fish spotted off the north coast Californiasparked excitement among marine biologists who have been trying to track down the elusive creature for decades.
The Pathophilus flemingi, also known as the high-finned dragonfish, was caught on video by a research team in Monterey Bay, California. Named after a mythical creature, the torpedo-shaped fish are predators that roam the depths of the ocean.
Fish can reach 16.5 cm in length and have long and thin fins. Scientists believe that the wing-like filaments can detect vibrations and warn fish of approaching predators and prey.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), dragonfish use a sit-and-wait technique in which they hang motionless in central waters and wait for unsuspecting crustaceans and fish to eat them. He also uses bioluminescent threads that extend from his chin.
“It’s used to lure prey that sees a bright spot of light and is attracted to it because they think it’s something small enough to eat,” said Bruce Robson, one of MBARI’s lead scientists. Let me know Life science.
When confronted by its prey, the fish opens its jaws, exposes a set of sharp teeth, and closes its mouth.
“In more than three decades of deep-sea research and more than 27,600 hours of video, we’ve only seen this particular species four times!” the researchers said in a YouTube video. Caption of a swimming dragon fish.
The fish caught by researchers with the camera has a different bronze coloration from other deep-sea species. “They are amazing animals, and part of the appeal is this color scheme,” said Robinson.
He added that the bronze color may be a form of camouflage because it absorbs blue light that reaches the depths of the ocean. As a result, the fish merge into their dark environment and become almost invisible.
“But when we shine a white light on it, it’s cool,” Robinson He said.
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