Pictures: Strange New Fish Found Deep off New Zealand

Two-Tone Slickhead

Photographs courtesy Peter Marriott, NIWA

Caught at about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) down, the Norman's slickhead species had never before been found off New Zealand.

Only ten specimens of the fish-which have beaklike, curved jaws and small eyes—are known from museum collections worldwide.

During the expedition, NIWA scientists would quickly photograph any specimen brought up from the depths, to capture its fresh color. Next, they'd record, label, and freeze it.

The agency donates any rare or new-to-science fish to the Te Papa Tongarewa museum in Wellington. There, the specimens are preserved, studied, and stored in the country's National Fish Collection.

(Also see "Pictures: 'Supergiant,' Shrimp-Like Beasts Found in Deep Sea.")

Published July 24, 2012

Young Skate

Photograph courtesy Peter Marriott, NIWA

This young Richardson's skate was one of several caught at four different trawl stations of varying depths. The species is very rarely seen, presumably because it lives so deep, according to NIWA.

Finding such elusive species is no easy task: Sending a 66-foot-wide (20-meter-wide) net to the bottom of the seafloor and bringing it back up can take three hours or more.

(See pictures: "100-Plus New Sharks, Rays Named in Australia.")

Published July 24, 2012

Slickhead

Photographs courtesy Peter Marriott, NIWA

The unidentified fish pictured above is probably a type of slickhead, according to NIWA.

Named for their slimy-looking noggins, these soft-bodied fish are common in waters deeper than 0.62 mile (1 kilometer), according to the Australian government.

"We were surprised by the predominance of slickheads ... at these depths," McMillan said. Preliminary identification suggests five species were caught during the expedition, he said.

Little is known about slickheads, though their diet is thought to consist of shrimp, jellyfish, free-swimming sea squirts called salps, and comb jellies.

(See "Huge Swarm of Gelatinous Sea Creatures Imaged in 3-D.")

Published July 24, 2012

Nearly Eyeless Eel

Photograph courtesy Peter Marriott, NIWA

This unidentified species of cusk-eel was caught about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) underwater. Generally shorter than other eels, cusk-eels are mostly nocturnal, deep-dwelling fish.

Like the cusk-eel, many deep-sea species have evolved smaller eyes in the lightless depths, since McMillan said. And to withstand the high water pressures, many fish have evolved lightweight skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone.

(See "New Deep-Sea Pictures: Snailfish, Eels Found in Trench.")

Published July 24, 2012

Curious Rattail

Photographs courtesy Peter McMillan, NIWA

Never before documented in New Zealand waters, this large white rattail of the genus Coryphaenoides was caught at about 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers) deep.

Rattails are often "very curious," which may help them find food in the dark depths, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

The aquarium recommends against eating rattails—sold as "grenadier"—since the fish grow slowly and may not reproduce until 30 years of age or older.

(Take National Geographic's seafood quiz.)

Published July 24, 2012

Next: More Pictures of Deep-Sea Creatures

Photograph by Awashima Marine Park, Getty Images

Published July 24, 2012