The “Barreleye Fish” (dubbed to its tubular eyes), also know as “Spook Fish” gives a new meaning to “clear-headed” with its transparent dome head. It resides in tropical/temperate waters, such as the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans at about between 600 and 800m below the surface (http://deepseanews.com/2009/02/scientists-solve-the-mystery-of-why-this-fish-is-so-freakin-crazy/). The fish has a tiny mouth, thought to make it difficult to eat prey in front of it in combination with the belief that its eyes (with a narrow field of vision) point only upward. This, however, is not the case; the animal’s strange eyes can, in fact, turn to look forwards.
The transparent dome head provides the Macropinna microstoma with the ability to look in many directions, including above it to see the shadows of potential prey (http://www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2009/barreleye/barreleye.html). Its eyes are extremely light sensitive to assist in its hunt for food. The two green spheres are the lenses of its tubular eyes. Though it seems as the dark capsules are eyes, they are actually the fish's "nostrils".
The Spook Fish hunts by waiting in the water while looking above for potential prey. It uses its large fins to maintain stability. When prey is spotted, it can turn its eyes to align its mouth with its field of view. Scientists believe that the barreleye steals food from siphonophores, jellyfishes that use their tentacles to hold prey they capture. It is believed that the barreleye swims into the tentacles, shielded by its clear dome, and steals the prey.
http://deepseanews.com/2009/02/scientists-solve-the-mystery-of-why-this-fish-is-so-freakin-crazy/
Ive never heard of thiss fish before, but its so interesting and unique! I also like how its called the spook fish since its head is clear. good job!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that there was a fish with a clear head, that could use this as a means of camouflage to catch food. I also loved how it was compared to a jelly fish, as they are also clear. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteWoah! I never knew that these fish even existed. The most interesting part was how it steals food from other animals instead of hunting directly by itself. But I don't understand how the head is able to sustain the tentacles' dangerous parts and manage to steal the prey.
ReplyDeleteWow! I found this article very interesting. I had never seen this fish, and I really enjoyed having the pictures and the video to paint a picture for me. How the fish goes and steals the food from the jellyfish is amazing as well! Great job Roop!
ReplyDeleteWow! I found this article very interesting, especially with how a fish could have a clear-head to make it easier to find their prey. I wonder how many other fish are undiscovered, and could have the same attributes as this fish. I also wonder if this could be an issue on our shorelines, and they come and invade.
ReplyDeleteThis article is truly amazing. How cool can nature be? As known that the ocean is mainly undiscovered, just like space, I wonder if there are going to be weirder looking, more developed fish in the lower altitudes? Any who, again, this article is very well written, and the video is a plus!
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy how many cool things are in the ocean, and it is truly sad how little we know about the vast ocean. There are so many fascinating species such as this one we still have not discovered. I believe that more people should make an effort to map out the ocean. It is even more important to take this initiative when we consider the fact that we know more about space than our very own oceans.
ReplyDeleteThis a highly intriguing article. The fact that we barely know anything about the depths of our ocean is truly astonishing. Because of obstacles such as water pressure, humans have not been able to investigate our oceans and the various species that lurk in the waters. Maybe in the future, we might discover many more new species that we never knew existed!
ReplyDeleteThis species of fish is very interesting and strange. The fact that it has its own genus leads me to wonder about the other fish that belong to that genus. The part that states "Scientists believe that the barreleye steals food from siphonophores... It is believed that the barreleye swims into the tentacles, shielded by its clear dome, and steals the prey" makes me interested to find out the ways in which the spook fish protects itself while doing so as well.
ReplyDeleteTo be able to see through its own head, is a feat that not many animals can accomplish! This marine creature seems to extremely unique, given that it even has its own genus. Are there any other species within this fish's genus? And does this species have any predators?
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