Here are some never-before-seen creatures of the deep that were recently discovered by a team of scientist's on their 35-day ocean journey around the Indian Ocean. These uncharted waters are so rarely studied, so we're stoked to learn more about these new species that were found as far as 5km from the surface. Let's take a look!
Image: Museums Victoria / Benjamin Heally
Deep-Sea Batfish
For the scientists, the deep-sea batfish was a favourite. This creature, sits on the seabed and looks a bit like a pancake. They strut around on their two stubby fins, which acts as their legs. It seems to be quite a clever creature, in the way it wiggles a tiny lure tucked into a hollow on its snout. Scientists presume they do this to trick prey into thinking it is a tasty worm. Pretty sneaky and smart, right?
This fish has rarely ever been seen, so we're hoping to learn more about them in future.
Image: Museums Victoria / Benjamin Heally
Blind Eel
The blind eel, was seen 5km from the water's surface. It was covered in a jelly-like substance that made its skin look transparent. It's common knowledge that most fish lay eggs, however, this eel gives birth to live young, which is a pretty interesting fact!
There were also a few other eels seen in the deep. The slender-snipe eel, which is about a metre long, weighs just 50g. This eel is unable to close its jaws, but it's lined with hooks to tear apart crustaceans. They also founded a cut throat eel, which is the complete opposite of what its name suggests, and instead is mainly a scavenger.
Image: Museums Victoria / Benjamin Heally
Deep Sea Flatfish
Whilst flatfish aren't uncommon, the scientists did discover a new type of deep sea flatfish. This flatfish has eyes on one side of its head. It's believed that this creature has evolved this way, in order to look out for predators, whilst it lays on the seabed. This flatfish is transparent and on that note, many animals in the deep sea are also transparent, which helps them remain hidden from their predators.
Less common, but not new to the eye was a tribute spiderfish. The scientists spotted this one due to their long lower fins, which were being used as stilts to perch above seabed and catch passing food. The scientists also saw a stoplight loose jaws, which is a type of dragonfish. These dragonfish have huge unfolding jaws with double hinges. They also have an unusual habit of spying on other animals with red bioluminescent light, a colour which most deep-sea animals can’t see. Pretty cool right?
Image: Museums Victoria / Benjamin Heally
Highfin Lizard Fish
It's appropriate to say all these creatures so far do look quite extra-terrestrial, and it's no exception for the highfin lizard fish. These fish are voracious deep sea predators. Their mouths are filled with sharp teeth. Interestingly enough, this animal is a hermaphrodite, which means it possesses both ovaries and testes simultaneously.
Another voracious animal seen in the deep, was the sloane's viperfish. They have massive ‘fangs’ that look very similar to the venomous fangs of a viper snake. Their organs however, are their most interesting asset. They contain rows all over their body of about 1,500 light organs, which are used to attract their prey.
What do you think of these creatures from the deep? Do you think they're scary and unusual? Or cool and intriguing?
Discoveries like these, only make us wonder more about what's out there, so we hope to see some more unique deep sea discoveries in the near future.
If you're an ocean lover, head over to our Eco News category and be sure to check out the blogs below to learn about some existing species that have recently been spotted:
This Crab Hadn't Been Spotted For 225 Years, Until Now!
This Black Softshell Turtle Made A Comeback From Extinction In Nepal!
Scientists Had Never Spotted This Elusive Whale Alive - Until Now!
