The most incredible deep-sea inhabitants. The most unusual sea creatures Fish of the deep

Incredible Facts

The oceans cover about 70 percent earth's surface and provide about half of the air we breathe through microscopic phytoplankton.

Despite all this, the oceans remain the biggest mystery. Thus, 95 percent of the world's oceans and 99 percent of the ocean floor remain unexplored.

Here are examples of the most unimaginable creatures that live in the depths of the ocean.

1. Smallmouth macropinna

smallmouth macropinna(Macropinna microstoma) belongs to a group of deep sea fish that have developed a unique anatomical structure to fit your lifestyle. These fish are extremely fragile, and fish specimens that have been taken by fishermen and explorers are deformed due to pressure differences.

Most unique characteristic of this fish is its soft, transparent head and barrel-shaped eyes. Being normally fixed upwards with green "lens caps" for filtering sunlight, the eyes of the Smallmouth Macropinna can rotate and retract.

In fact, what appear to be eyes are sensory organs. Real eyes are located under the canopy of the forehead.

2. Bathysaurus

Batysaurus (Bathysaurus ferox) sounds like a dinosaur, which in principle is not far from the truth. Bathysaurus ferox refers to deep-sea lizards that live in the tropical and subtropical seas of the world, at a depth of 600-3,500 m. Its length reaches 50-65 cm.

He is considered the deepest living super predator in the world and everything that comes in his way is immediately devoured. Once the jaws of this devilish fish snap shut, it's game over. Even her tongue is studded with razor-sharp fangs.

It is hardly possible to look at her face without a shudder, and it is even more difficult for her to find a mate. But this does not bother this formidable underwater inhabitant too much, since he has both male and female genitals.

3. Viper fish

Viper fish is one of the most unusual deep sea fish. Known as common howliod(Chauliodus sloani), it is one of the ocean's most ruthless predators. This fish is easily recognizable by its large mouth and sharp fang-like teeth. In fact, these fangs are so large that they do not fit in her mouth, wrapping closer to her eyes.

The viper fish uses its sharp teeth to pierce its prey by swimming very close to it. high speed. Most of these creatures have an expandable stomach, which allows them to swallow fish larger than themselves in one sitting. At the end of its spine is a luminous organ that the fish uses to attract its prey.

It lives in tropical and temperate waters in different parts light at a depth of 2,800 m.

4 Deep Sea Monkfish

Deep Sea Monkfish ( Deep Sea Anglerfish) looks like a creature from a sci-fi world. Perhaps he belongs to the ugliest animals on our planet and lives in the most inhospitable environment - on a lonely dark seabed.

There are over 200 types sea ​​devils, most of which live in the gloomy depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans.

The monkfish lure its prey with its elongated dorsal spine, curving it around the lure while the end of the spine glows to attract unsuspecting fish to its mouth and sharp teeth. Their mouth is so large and their body so flexible that they can swallow prey twice their size.

5. Piglet squid

Known as Helicocranchia pfefferi, this cute creature is a real outlet after the awesome toothy fish that are associated with the deep expanses. This species of squid lives about 100 m below the ocean surface. Due to its deep ocean habitat, its behavior has not been sufficiently studied. These inhabitants are not the fastest swimmers.

Their body is almost completely transparent, with the exception of some cells containing pigments called chromatophores, thanks to which these inhabitants acquire such a charming appearance. They are also known for their luminous organs, called photophores, which are located under each eye.

6 Japanese Spider Crab

The leg span of the spider crab reaches 4 meters, with a body width of about 37 cm and a weight of about 20 kg. Japanese spider crabs can live up to 100 years, just like the largest and oldest lobsters.

These subtle inhabitants of the sea day are ocean cleaners, cracking down on dead deep-sea inhabitants.

The eyes of the Japanese crab are located forward with two horns between the eyes, which shorten with age. As a rule, they live at a depth of 150 to 800 m, but most often at a depth of 200 m.

Japanese spider crabs are considered a real delicacy, but in Lately the catch of these crabs is on the decline thanks to a program to protect these deep-sea species.

7. Drop fish

This fish lives off the coast of Australia and Tasmania at a depth of about 800 m. Given the depth of the water in which it swims, a drop fish does not have a swim bladder, as in most fish, since it is not very effective with strong water pressure. Her skin is made up of a gelatinous mass that is slightly denser than water, allowing her to float above the ocean floor without much hassle. The fish grows up to 30 cm in length, feeding mainly sea ​​urchins and shellfish that float by.

Despite being inedible, this fish is often caught along with other prey such as lobsters and crabs, putting it at risk of extinction. Distinctive external characteristic fish drops is her unhappy facial expression.

8 Tongue Eating Woodlice

Surprisingly, the snapper itself does not suffer much from this process, continuing to live and eat after the wood lice found a permanent place to live with him.

9 Frilled Shark

People have rarely seen the frilled shark, which prefers to stay at a depth of about 1500 m below the ocean surface. Considered living fossils frilled sharks actually have many characteristics of ancestors that swam the seas back in the days of the dinosaurs.

It is believed that frilled sharks capture their prey by bending their body and rushing forward like a snake. Its long and flexible jaw allows it to swallow its prey whole, while its many small, needle-sharp teeth prevent its prey from escaping. It feeds mainly on cephalopods, as well as bony fish and sharks.

10. Lionfish (or Lionfish)

It is believed that the first lionfish or Pterois, which has beautiful coloration and large spiny fins, appeared in sea ​​waters on the shores of Florida in the early 90s of the last century. Since then they have spread throughout caribbean, becoming a real punishment for marine life.

These fish eat other species, and it seems that they eat constantly. They themselves have long venomous spines which protects them from other predators. In the Atlantic Ocean, local fish are not familiar with them and do not recognize the danger, and the only species here that can eat them is the lion fish themselves, since they are not only aggressive predators, but also cannibals.

Due to the poison that their spines release, the bites become even more painful, and for those who suffer from heart disease or allergic reactions, this can be fatal.

Our Earth is 70% water, and most of these vast water (including underwater) expanses remain poorly explored. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the most amazing and strange representatives of the animal world live in the depths of the sea. Today in our article we will talk about the most incredible deep-sea fish Mariana Trench and others ocean depths. Many of these fish were discovered relatively recently, and many of them amaze us, people, with their incredible and even fantastic appearance, structural features, habits and way of life.

Bassogigas - the deepest sea fish in the world

So, get acquainted, bassogigas - a fish that holds the absolute record for the deepest habitat. For the first time, bassogigas was caught at the bottom of a trough near Puerto Rico at a depth of 8 km (!) from the John Eliot research ship.

Bassogigas.

As you can see, in appearance, our deep-sea record holder differs little from ordinary fish, although in fact, despite the relatively typical appearance, his habits and lifestyle are still little studied by zoologists, because research at such a great depth is a very difficult task.

drop fish

But already our next hero can hardly be reproached for being “ordinary”, get acquainted - a drop fish, which, in our opinion, has the strangest and most fantastic appearance.

Like an alien from outer space, right? A drop fish lives on the deep ocean floor near Australia and Tasmania. The size of an adult representative of the species is no more than 30 cm. In front of it is a process resembling our nose, and on the sides, respectively, there are two eyes. A drop fish does not have developed muscles and resembles something in its way of life - it slowly swims with its mouth open in anticipation that the prey, and these are usually small invertebrates, will itself be nearby. After that, the drop fish swallows the prey. She herself is inedible and, moreover, is on the verge of extinction.

And here is our next hero - a sea bat, which in its appearance does not even look like a fish.

But, nevertheless, he is still a fish, although he cannot swim. The bat moves along the seabed, pushing off with its fins, so similar to legs. The bat lives in the warm deep waters of the oceans. The largest representatives of the species reach 50 cm in length. Bats are predators and feed on various small fish, but since they cannot swim, they lure their prey with a special bulb growing directly from their heads. This bulb has a specific smell that attracts fish, as well as worms and crustaceans (they are also eaten by our hero), while the bat itself patiently sits in ambush and, as soon as potential prey is nearby, it sharply grabs it.

Anglerfish - deep sea fish with a flashlight

The deep-sea anglerfish, which lives, including in the depths of the famous Mariana Trench, is especially remarkable for its appearance, due to the presence of a real flashlight rod on its head (hence its name).

The fishing rod-flashlight of the angler is not only for beauty, but also serves the most practical purposes, with its help our hero also lures prey - various small fish, although due to its not small appetite and the presence of sharp teeth, the angler does not hesitate to attack more major representatives fish kingdom. Interesting fact: anglers themselves often become a victim of their special voracity, because having grabbed a large fish, due to the structural features of their teeth, they can no longer release their prey, as a result of which they themselves choke and die.

But back to his amazing biological flashlight, why does it glow? In fact, light is provided by special luminous bacteria that live in close symbiosis with the anglerfish.

In addition to its main name, the deep-sea anglerfish has others: sea ​​Devil”,“ Monkfish ”, because in its appearance, and habits, it can be safely attributed to deep-sea monster fish.

The side-eye has perhaps the most unusual structure among deep-sea fish: a transparent head through which he can see with his tubular eyes.

Although the fish was first discovered by scientists back in 1939, it still remains poorly understood. It lives in the Bering Sea, near the western coast of the USA and Canada, as well as near the coast of northern Japan.

giant amoeba

American oceanologists 6 years ago discovered living creatures at a record depth of 10 km. - giant amoeba. True, they no longer belong to fish, so bassogigas still occupies the primacy among fish, but it is these giant amoeba that hold the absolute record among living creatures that live at the greatest depth - the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known on Earth. These amoebae were discovered with the help of a special deep-sea camera, and research on their life continues to this day.

Deep sea fish video

And in addition to our article, we invite you to look curious video about 10 incredible creatures of the Mariana Trench.

The waters of the World Ocean occupy more than 70% of the entire surface of the planet Earth, however, today the inhabitants of the deep ocean remain the least studied by ichthyologists because of the difficult access to their habitat. IN lower layers seas and oceans, there are many of the deepest-sea fish and creatures that surprise, and sometimes simply shock with their appearance or way of life. A significant part of them was discovered relatively recently, and many have yet to come to the attention of researchers of the deep sea.

general characteristics

deep sea fish live on the slopes and in the ocean floor, within 200-6000 m of the depth of the oceans. About 2000 of them are known, and those that live below 6000 m, there are about 10-15 varieties, which is 2% of the total number of the deepest creatures.

Categories

All of them can be classified according to the presence of specific organs:

• truly deep-sea - characterized by luminous organs, telescope eyes, and other adaptive elements;
• shelf deep-water - they do not have such manifestations, they are located on the slopes of the continents.

According to the nature of nutrition, the division is divided into 3 groups:

1. Planktophages - the basis of the diet is plankton.
2. Benthophages - feed on carrion and invertebrates.
3. Predators - attack and attack other marine inhabitants in order to further eat.

An interesting fact is that such categories do not inhabit any of the major lakes in the world, except for Baikal, which is considered the deepest on the planet.

Description

Among the creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean, there are completely blind or, on the contrary, distinguished by sharp eyesight to track prey, which is due to the constant darkness in these layers of water. Since the seabed is mostly silty, many living organisms are characterized by a specific body structure for convenient and quick movement - a flat body, long legs, the presence of needles or huge claws.

Some creatures may be distinguished by the presence of bioluminescence as illuminated body parts (outgrowths, fins, tails). This way of adapting to environment gives some opportunities for successful life, for example, it can serve as a bait for prey, as lighting in dark waters. It is often used for camouflage on the seafloor or to scare off predators.

The closer to the bottom of the ocean, the stronger the pressure becomes and the temperature of the water decreases, there is much less food for food. All these factors significantly influenced the structural features of some fish species. These places meet the most unusual inhabitants ocean, which have huge mouths and heads, the dimensions of which can be several times greater than the length of their own body.

Rating of the most common types

The list of TOP-10 deep-sea fish includes the most incredible and unusual representatives sea ​​depths. The appearance of many of them is so unusual that it resembles aliens from other planets. However, this list is much wider and can be supplemented with other equally interesting specimens due to the great diversity that live in the abyss of the oceans.

Another name - goblin shark - received due to unusual shape heads: there is a beak-shaped outgrowth and long jaws retracting forward. It also has an unusual pink color due to the proximity of blood vessels to the surface of the skin.

Lives deeper than 200 m in almost all oceans, maximum depth dive is 1300 m, food consists of crabs, fry and squid. Catching prey is carried out by extending the jaws and swallowing it along with water.

There are several rows of teeth - separately for hunting prey and splitting the strong shells of various crustaceans.

The length of males is 2.4-3.7 m, females - 3.1-3.5 m. The maximum parameters known to researchers were 3.8 m in length and 210 kg in weight.

This is a representative of the ghostly black cat sharks that live in the north of the water area. Atlantic Ocean, can be found at a depth of 600-1900 m. The first description by specialists dates back to 1979.

Most often they fall into nets off the coast of Japan, they have large eyes, they are distinguished by a large head, small fins and tail.

The average length of the female is 76 cm, the largest known size value, which is documented, is 85 cm.

According to the versions of some researchers, it is considered the deepest-sea fish in the world, since the case of catching a specimen of this genus of the mistaken family from the John Eliot vessel is officially known.

Research work was carried out on the ship, during which fish was taken on board from a depth of 8370 m. This happened near a trough in Puerto Rico.

In the works of many ichthyologists, the bathysaurus is considered as the deepest-sea species of all thoroughly studied today.

Its habitat is located at the level of 3500 m, the body is elongated (almost 65 cm). There is also the name "fierce head", which was given to him for his unattractiveness and menacing appearance.

It is also called the pelican fish (Eurypharynxs pelecanoides), sack-eater, black devourer, black live-swallower, belongs to the order of sack-like fish. The closest relatives are eels.

The specific structure of the body - a huge mouth and a short body - makes it possible to swallow prey many times larger than the size of the predator itself. Zhivoglotov completely lacks scales, no ribs and no air bladder.

The length of individuals varies from 4.8 cm (the smallest representative of the suborder) to 161 cm, the maximum recorded specimen reached 2 m.

In 1939, Wilbert Chapman made the discovery and description of what is probably one of the interesting fish deep water. And only in 2004 the world saw photographs depicting a macropinna, which surprised many people, since the fish has a transparent head.

Widespread in waters Pacific Ocean near the coasts of Canada, the USA and Japan at a depth of 500-800 m, the largest individuals live much lower.

Body length is about 15 cm, covered with large scales, massive fins. The head is protected by a transparent shell in the form of a dome; inside, cylindrical eyes are located in a separate chamber. Green colour. Well-developed eye muscles ensure the movement of the eyes from a vertical to a horizontal position, which makes it possible to productively monitor and capture prey.

Another name sounds like "monkfish", obtained due to the terrifying appearance. They live in the eastern region of the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of up to 550 m, it is considered commercial, because of the dense white meat, dishes with it are widely popular in national cuisine France.

Individual specimens up to 2 m and weighing 57.7 kg can be found, the average length is 1-1.5 m. The body is without scales, everything is covered with skin growths and bumps. The monkfish is interesting in that it has an outgrowth-fishing rod on its head with a luminous bait at the end to attract prey, its glow is provided by specific bacteria that live with this monster in symbiosis.

It is found in almost all areas of the oceans in deep layers at a level of 500-5000 m. It has a relatively small size - weight 120 g and length up to 15-18 cm. It looks intimidating - a powerful head with 4 sharp fangs. The teeth are located on both jaws, resemble building nails, and protrude forward.

The sabertooth is a predator that, when catching a prey, copes with it in almost a matter of seconds, biting it several times in a row with its needle-teeth. When the jaw is closed, the lower teeth fit into the "sheath" on both sides of the brain.

It is interesting to know that environmentalists in 2008 put the sabertooth in first place in the list of the 10 most terrible animals on the planet.

It keeps at a depth of 200-1000 m, has some resemblance to a stingray, as it has a large head and a small tail. Their shell is similar in strength to that of a tortoise and serves as protection against marine predators.

Almost does not swim, moves along the bottom on fins adapted to environmental conditions, which eventually became similar to the limbs of land animals.

Soft-bodied whale fish (Flabby Whalefish)

Considered one of the deepest living species, the habitat is at 3500 m and below. The length reaches 40 cm, outwardly they resemble the cetacean family.

Habitat - the lower layers of the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans up to 1450-1570 m. It has a snake-like body of dark brown color up to 2 m long.

The name is derived from the presence of 6 skin folds - gill slits. The hunt is almost like that of snakes - the shark bends its body and makes a lightning-fast jump-throw forward to the victim. Strong long jaws allow you to securely squeeze the prey, as several rows of sharp teeth help to hold it.

It is probably true that it is considered the most bizarre of deep-sea specimens, since it has extraordinary shape body.

The ocean is a boundless expanse of trillions of liters of salt water. Thousands of species of living beings have found refuge here. Some of them are thermophilic and live at shallow depths, so as not to miss the rays of the sun. Others are accustomed to the cold waters of the Arctic and try to avoid warm currents. There are even those who live at the bottom of the ocean, having adapted to the conditions of a harsh world.

The last representatives are the greatest mystery for scientists. After all, until recently, they could not even think that someone was able to survive in such extreme conditions. Moreover, evolution has rewarded these living organisms with a number of unseen features.

Beneath the oceans

For a long time there was a theory that there is no life at the bottom of the ocean. The reason for that - low temperature water and also high pressure capable of compressing submarine like a soda can. And yet, some creatures were able to withstand these circumstances and confidently settled at the very edge of the bottomless abyss.

So who lives at the bottom of the ocean? First of all, these are bacteria, traces of which were found at a depth of more than 5 thousand meters. But if microscopic creatures are unlikely to surprise ordinary person, That giant clams and monster fish deserve due attention.

How did you find out about those who live at the bottom of the ocean?

With the development of submarines, diving to a depth of up to two kilometers became possible. This allowed scientists to look into the world, hitherto unseen and amazing. Each dive made it possible to open another one to see more and more new species.

And the rapid development of digital technology has made it possible to create heavy-duty cameras that can shoot underwater. Thanks to this, the world saw photographs that depict animals living at the bottom of the ocean.

And every year, scientists go deeper and deeper in the hope of new discoveries. And they are happening - over the past decade, many amazing conclusions have been made. In addition, hundreds, if not thousands, of photographs were posted on the network, which depict the inhabitants of the deep sea.

Creatures that live at the bottom of the ocean

Well, it's time to go on a little journey into the mysterious depths. Passing the threshold of 200 meters, it is difficult to distinguish even small silhouettes, and after 500 meters pitch darkness sets in. From this moment, the possessions of those who are indifferent to light and heat begin.

It is at this depth that one can meet polychaete worm who, in search of profit, drifts from place to place. In the light of the lamps, it shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow, the word is made of silver plates. On his head is a series of tentacles, thanks to which he is oriented in space and feels the approach of prey.

But the worm itself is food for another inhabitant. underwater world- sea angel. This amazing creature belongs to the class gastropods and is a predator. It got its name because of the two large fins that cover its sides like wings.

If you go down even deeper, you can stumble upon the queen of jellyfish. Hairy Cyanea, or Lion's Mane- the largest representative of its kind. Large individuals in their diameter reach 2 meters, and their tentacles can stretch almost 20 meters.

Who lives at the bottom of the ocean yet? This is a squat lobster. According to scientists, he can adapt to life even at a depth of 5 thousand meters. Thanks to its flattened body, it calmly endures pressure, and its long legs allow it to move easily along the muddy bottom of the ocean.

Deep sea fish

Fish living at the bottom of the ocean, over hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, have been able to adapt to an existence without sunlight. Moreover, some of them even learned to produce their own light.

So, at the mark of 1 thousand meters, a monkfish lives. On his head there is an appendage that emits a small glow that lures other fish. Because of this, it is also called " European anglerfish". At the same time, he himself can change his color, thereby merging with the environment.

Another representative of deep-sea creatures is a drop fish. Her body resembles jelly, which allows her to endure pressure at great depths. It feeds exclusively on plankton, which makes it harmless to its neighbors.

A stargazer fish lives at the bottom of the oceans, the second name is the celestial eye. The reason for this pun was the eyes are always directed upwards, as if looking out for the stars. Her body is covered with poisonous spikes, and near her head are tentacles that can paralyze the victim.