When explore in the ocean deep it ’s not uncommon to occur across some prettyalien - alike lifeforms , but every now and then scientists stumble across somethingtruly exceptional . Such an observance was recently made by researchers at theMonterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute(MBARI ) who captured on television camera something they ’ve only learn four times in more than three decennary of cryptic - ocean inquiry : ahighfin dragonfish .
The exceptionally rare fish was recognize by Senior Scientist at MBARI Bruce Robison and confrere who were on display board the research vesselWestern Flyer . bonk as the highfin dragonfish ( Bathophilus flemingi ) , it was shimmering through California ’s amniotic fluid at a deepness of around 300 meters ( 980 foot ) just outside of Monterey Bay .
“ These fish populate in either dim ignitor or total dark ; the latter illuminated only by bioluminescence , ” Robison told IFLScience . “ So , their appearance in their natural home ground is nothing like what we see in these videos . ”
“ Many other Pisces have silvery position that reflect ambient Christ Within to aid them fuse into their surround visually . The metallic character ofBathophilus ' hide in all likelihood has a similar single-valued function . As for color , there is mixed bag among the specimen I have encountered . Some were bronze like this one ; others were copper color , or organization , or even metallic jet . They may be capable to set the colouring material to suit the portion , or mayhap not , we just do n’t know yet . ”
While its orientation might look a little queer , this is part of dragonfishes ' depredation technique , which sees them hang motionless in the water system until prey strays within reach . They then snap up whatever unlucky animal came within chomping distance with their large , toothy jaws .
Much mystery remains aroundBathophilusowing to its elusive nature , but we do have intercourse it apportion the water column with a productive diversity of species including squids , crustacean , and dirt ball , as well as some vulturous marine mammals . “ Anything bighearted than this Pisces is a potential predatory animal , ” Robison explained . “ It ’s a dangerous world for them . ”
The team hopes this rare snippet of footage will contribute to our agreement of highfin dragonfish , being incorporated into a variety of ongoing studies exploring topics include ( but not limited to ) prey attractive force conduct , the behavioral pigmentation normal change of deep - sea fishes , as well as the wallop of climate alteration on marine communities at this depth .
“ You never know how a chance observation like this will give off , ” enunciate Robison , “ but they unremarkably do . ”
