Rare whalefish seen in California by a deep-sea rover
Updated: 10:08 PM EDT Aug 13, 2021
A rare fish, which much is unknown about, was captured by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) cameras in Monterey Bay. According to MBARI, whalefishes have rarely been collected alive and much of their biology remains a mystery to this day. Even MBARI's deep-see remote-operated vehicles have only spotted this species 18 times in 34 years. According to MBARI scientists, "Whalefishes (order Cetomimiformes) lack external scales and pelvic fins, and in adults, the eyes are very primitive and small. The eyes’ lenses are lost after they transform from the larval stage, and with it, they lose the ability to form images."But instead of relying on sight to survive, they have an incredible ability to feel their surroundings. They have a highly sensitive lateral line system, with sensory pores that run over the head and down the length of the body to help them feel vibrations in the water around them."Watch the video above to see the fish.
A rare fish, which much is unknown about, was captured by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) cameras in Monterey Bay.
According to MBARI, whalefishes have rarely been collected alive and much of their biology remains a mystery to this day. Even MBARI's deep-see remote-operated vehicles have only spotted this species 18 times in 34 years.
According to MBARI scientists, "Whalefishes (order Cetomimiformes) lack external scales and pelvic fins, and in adults, the eyes are very primitive and small. The eyes’ lenses are lost after they transform from the larval stage, and with it, they lose the ability to form images.
"But instead of relying on sight to survive, they have an incredible ability to feel their surroundings. They have a highly sensitive lateral line system, with sensory pores that run over the head and down the length of the body to help them feel vibrations in the water around them."
Watch the video above to see the fish.
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