Sunday, December 12, 2010

Macropinna microstoma - Transparent Head Fish

Macropinna microstoma is a unique fish with transparent, fluid-filled dome on its head. Through its head, we can see the lenses of its eyes. The eyes have a tunnel or barrel shape and can be rotated to point either forward or straight up, looking through its transparent dome. This allows the fish to look up at potential prey or focus forward to see what it is eating.
Scientists believe that its barrel eyes were very good at collecting light, but seemed to be fixed in place. This amazing animal has been known since 1939 but only from mangled specimens brought up to the surface by nets.  The picture of the fish is known to have been photographed alive in 2004.
This 6-inch barreleye fish discovered alive in the deep water off California’s central coast at a depth of about 2,000 ft to 2,600 ft.

transparent head fish

transparent head fish

transparent head fish

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