MBARI films rare barreleye fish with transparent head in 4K
Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute filmed a barreleye fish about 90 kilometres off California, at a depth of roughly 600 metres. The team watched it for around 20 minutes using the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts; senior scientist Steven Haddock said the footage may help researchers study how deep-sea animals use vision in low light.
Bottom line — MBARI has encountered the barreleye just 11 times in nearly four decades of exploration.
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MBARI said the fish’s tubular eyes can rotate upwards and forwards.
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The transparent dome protects the fish’s eyes while it feeds among the stinging tentacles of siphonophores, according to MBARI.
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Haddock said earlier illustrations often missed the dome because it was damaged when specimens were collected.
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Haddock said deep-sea animals can use subtle optical cues, such as shadows passing overhead, to find food.