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Hovering at a depth of 8,336 meters (more than 27,000 feet) just above the ocean floor, a young snail fish has become the deepest fish ever filmed by scientists while investigating the depths of the North Pacific Ocean.
Scientists at the University of Western Australia and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology on Sunday released footage of the snail fish, filmed last September by marine robots in deep trenches off Japan.
Along with the filming of the deepest snail fish, scientists physically caught two other specimens at a distance of 8,022 meters and set another record for the deepest catch.
Previously, the deepest snail fish ever observed was in 2008 at an altitude of 7,703 metres, while scientists had never been able to collect the fish from anywhere below 8,000 metres.
“The important thing is that it shows how far a particular type of fish will venture into the ocean,” said marine biologist Alan Jamieson, founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Center and leading the expedition.
Scientists have been filming in the trenches of Japan as part of a 10-year study of the world’s deepest fish population. Jamieson said that snailfish are members of the Liparidae family, and while most snailfish live in shallow waters, others survive at the greatest depths ever recorded.
During a two-month survey last year, three “landers” – automated marine robots equipped with high-resolution cameras – were dropped into three trenches – the Japan, Izu-Ogasawara and Ryukyu trenches – at different depths.
In the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, footage shows the deepest snail fish hovering peacefully with other crustaceans on the sea floor.
Jamieson classified the fish as juveniles and said that small deep-sea snail fishes often stay as deep as possible to avoid being eaten by larger predators swimming at shallower depths.
Another clip, shot between 7,500 and 8,200 meters in the same trench, shows a colony of fish and crustaceans feeding on bait tied to a robot under the sea.
Images of two snailfish caught – identified as Pseudoliparis belyaevi – Provide a rare glimpse of the unique characteristics that help deep-sea species survive in extreme environments.
They have small eyes, transparent bodies and lack the swim bladder that helps other fish swim, which works to their advantage, Jamieson said.
The professor said the Pacific Ocean is particularly suited to vibrant activity because of its warm southern current, which encourages marine organisms to go deeper, while its abundant marine life provides a good source of food for bottom feeders. Does.
Scientists would like to learn more about creatures living at extreme depths, but cost is a barrier, Jamison said, adding that each lander alone costs them $200,000 to assemble and operate.
“The challenges are that the technology is expensive and scientists don’t have a lot of money,” he said.