A new species of deep-sea fish has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico. The new anglerfish was discovered as researchers were studying the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill from 2010.
The New Species of Anglerfish found in the Gulf of Mexico
Researchers from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the University of Washington have teamed up to describe a new species of anglerfish discovered in the deep, dark depths of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The researchers described the new species through the use of the three specimens they found. All three specimens were female and are considered type specimens. Because of their prestigious status as type specimens, their new home will be in the world’s largest collection of deep-sea anglerfish at the Ichthyology Collection at the University of Washington.
Dr. Tracey Sutton of NSU’s Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography and Dr. Theodore Pietsch of Washington have had their findings published by The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) in the journal Copeia.
The Scary Features and Strange Feeding Preferences of the New Species
The anglerfish found in the deep waters are a new species of Ceratioid anglerfish. The anglerfish got its name from the appendage that dangles from the top of its head.
The appendage is believed to have evolved from a dorsal fin. Attached to the end of the appendage is a light of sorts. Over time, the anglerfish have acquired the ability to produce bioluminescence, which is helpful when they live over 1,000 meters down in the dark midnight of the deep ocean. The little dangly bit essentially acts as a fishing pole for unsuspecting prey who become mesmerized by the tiny light before the anglerfish gobbles them up.
The anglerfish look scary with their sharp teeth jutting from their jaws, their enticing way to captivate their victims for their dinners, and the fact they can withstand over on ton of pressure per square inch at the depths they live.
However, we have nothing to fear. The three female specimens found only ranged from between one to four inches long. So terrifying, yet so tiny. And that’s not the weirdest part about the new species.
Mating Habits of the New Deepwater Fish Species
The new anglerfish species is rather different from its cousins in the same family. Usually, the fish are stout and round, but the three females found were actually quite small with the largest at just around 4 inches. It wasn’t unusual that only females were found. Male anglerfish are much more elusive and also quite a bit smaller than their female counterparts.
What is unusual is why the male anglerfish are a bit harder to find: they bite into the female’s side and effectively become a parasite. They appear as lumps on the female’s bodies, but it’s for a good purpose!
Once attached, the male effectively decomposes, leaving only remnants of himself to be used as an attached reproductive organ. When the time is right, the female can use the sacrificial fish to reproduce.
While ugly and strange in terms of feeding preferences and sexual habits, this new species of anglerfish adds to the diversity of fish species known in the Gulf of Mexico.
Keep that water level right with HidrateMe:
