Uncategorized

The 27 Best Deep-Sea Species: #5 Barreleye Fish

Dr. M October 27, 2008

#5 Species from the family Opisthoproctidae (Phylum: Chordata, Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Osmeriformes)

Winteria_telescopa_2_2
These fish are so cool they could be invertebrates.  First is that lovely family name which means behind the anus (opisthe-behind, prokotos-anus), a name whose intent escapes me.

Second, the 12 species in 6 genera are exclusively deep sea. Shallow water species can suck it! Third, all the species except one have tubular eyes that protrude from the skull, always gazing dreamily upwards. In Winteria (image left), the eyes look forward and up. Fourth, those crazy eyes have huge lens (yes size does matter) with an inordinate amoutn of rod cells and rhodopsin.  Fifth, they possess bioluminescent organs on their sides and stomachs that serves a counterillumination from below.

Barreleye

The last and best reason yet, is that all the species have transparent to translucent heads!  You can just look right in there and see all the fish’s thoughts in that tiny little fish brain. The two thoughts so far documented are I am hungry and horny.  Same as Kevin really.  Seriously though, the clear heads presumably allow the fish to collect more light.

Check out the pictures of Opisthoproctus soleatus by Norbert Wu Middle image of Macropinna microstoma from Paul Yancey.

Barreleyes at 5:47

Share the post "The 27 Best Deep-Sea Species: #5 Barreleye Fish"

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Shares

Related Posts

3 Replies to “The 27 Best Deep-Sea Species: #5 Barreleye Fish”

  2. “First is that lovely family name which means behind the anus (opisthe-behind, prokotos-anus), a name whose intent escapes me.”

    I suspect its latin for “ass-backwards”

Comments are closed.