If you’re scared of the deep sea, you might be on to something as scientists found another anglerfish to haunt your dreams within the dark depths. The angler fish, now called Lasiognathus Regan, is the newest addition to the Ceratioid family and it’s clearly not the best looking one in the bunch.
However, it does have a set of unique features. Anglerfish are commonly roundish and stout, oddly looking creatures that elusively live in the depths and use innovative strategies to find food. It is believes that their so-called ‘natural fishing pole’ evolved from a dorsal fin that is used through a bioluminiscent fish within it to attract prey.
And, in the pitch black of deep sea levels, little else is more entrancing to other fish than the bright, shiny single light within all the darkness. The Lasiognathus Regan uses the same strategy, evolved in order to survive in a place where pressure stands at over 2,200 pounds per square inch.
The creepy-looking fish was found in the Gulf of Mexico, between 3,000 and 4,000 feet below the surface, well within the midnight zone, by researchers at the Nova Southeastern University in Florida. The midnight zone (or bathyal zone) is the pitch black depth of the ocean in between 660 and 6,6000 feet below the surface, meaning where the sun’s rays can no longer penetrate through the water.
Lasiognathus Regan seems to have found a home within the deep sea, far away from Hollywood that might now be inspired to mold an alien creature from its appearance. It’s less than 2 inches in length, with long and sharp-looking teeth, spikes on its front, lightly colored skin and an long head that is clearly larger than its distorted body.
Researchers found three females and, while many sources deem it as “terrifying”, Dr. Tracey Sutton, who was part of the team and studying ecology in marine system, calls it “amazing”. New discoveries confirm it every day that there is a great unknown hidden within the depths of the oceans where humans have yet to explore.
There is more to know about our very own planet and “every research trip is an adventure and another opportunity to learn”, as the researcher herself stated.
They say that those alive today were unfortunately born too late to explore the earth and born too early to explore space. But we’re at just the right time to explore the mysterious depths of the waters.
Image source: creepbay.com
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