This Rare 'Transparent' Blotched Fish Can Camouflage, Found In Alaska

A biologist and her colleagues have recently found a transparent fish in the waters of Alaska. The fish, called Crystallichthys cyclospilus, is a blotched snailfish.

The fish have transparent, reddish bodies which are unique, and serve an important function. Deep sea creatures like the botched snailfish develop this adaptation in order to camouflage themselves. Due to their transparent bodies, these fish are largely invisible to predators.

Source : Twitter/@sarahtfried

A biologist and her colleagues have recently found a transparent fish in the waters of Alaska. The fish, called Crystallichthys cyclospilus, is a blotched snailfish.

Sarah Friedman, a fish biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), tweeted: "Been hoping to see one of these in person for a long time! Blotched snailfish (Crystallichthys cyclospilus)". 

Been hoping to see one of these in person for a long time! Blotched snailfish (Crystallichthys cyclospilus) pic.twitter.com/RHxvxAeTog

— Sarah Friedman, PhD (@sarahtfried) June 19, 2022

According to a report published by digital media platform Mashable, Friedman said the researchers have found four or five fishes so far, in the couple of weeks they were out. The NOAA conducts a routine survey every year in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. During this year's survey, the team encountered the fish.

Characteristics Of The Fish

The fish are rare and are found around 100 to 200 metres down, Friedman said. She stated that the general everyday person is never going to encounter one of these fish.

The fish have transparent, reddish bodies which are unique, and serve an important function. Deep sea creatures like the botched snailfish develop this adaptation in order to camouflage themselves. Due to their transparent bodies, these fish are largely invisible to predators.

Friedman explained that snailfish have another interesting feature. They have suction cups at the bottom of their bodies which help them attach themselves to rocks. As a result, they are not drifted away by strong currents. 

Friedman also posted on Twitter a picture of a giant sea spider she recovered during the survey. It belongs to the genus Colossendeis and class Pycnogonida.

Since everyone liked the snailfish so much, here’s another cool find from yesterday. Giant sea spider (Colossendeis sp.), a species of Pycnogonid pic.twitter.com/QcOaIhMNP7

— Sarah Friedman, PhD (@sarahtfried) June 20, 2022

She recently tweeted a picture of Dreamer anglerfish, the first spine in the dorsal fin of which acts as a fishing rod.