Rare Footage of Barreleye, a Bizarre Fish with Transparent Head

Dec 18, 2021 by Kashish Bhardwaj in Nature & Wildlife

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute spotted this rare tubular-eyed creature through their remotely-operated vehicle

Have you ever seen a creature carrying a transparent head with upward-directed eyes? Well, as of now, no one has witnessed an alien yet. However, there exists a rare species in deep blues that completely resembles the abovementioned description. Barreleye or Macropinna microstoma is an exclusive yet peculiar fish that dwells in the deep sea. This strange fish has a transparent head and tubular eyes.

Recently, The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), spotted this rarely seen fish as they sent remotely operated vehicles (ROV) on more than 5,600 dives in the fish’s ecosystem to bring out the sighting. This mysterious creature has been spotted only nine times till date.

The fish is named Barreleye because of its barrel-shaped, tubular eyes. Barreleye is capable of rotating its eyes in both upward and forward directions. They can detect the silhouettes of their prey from a distinct gap because of their unique eyes.

Also Read: Endangered North Atlantic Right Whale Gives Birth While Stuck in Fishing Rope

The weird species was found hundreds of feet underwater, off the Monterey Bay of California. The mysterious world here underneath the water is yet to be discovered. The submerged robot consistently focused on the tubular eyes. As per MBARI, the eyes of the fish are very light-sensitive, supposedly they spend most of their time waiting for spontaneous prey like jellyfish.

Scientists capture rare footage of bizarre fish with transparent head_MBARI

Image: MBARI

MBARI is quite eminent for using ROV to survey oceanic depths and has successfully pictured numerous sea creatures. The barreleye is indeed nature’s most unique creation, it is known to live at depths of 2,000 to 2,600 feet in the twilight zone of the ocean. There are many unknown species hidden in the depth of seas, which might never see the light of the day but nevertheless, they are preserved in their own wide enclosure, undisturbed from human intrusions.

I spy with my barreleye, a new #FreshFromTheDeep!

During a dive with our education and outreach partner, the @MontereyAq, the team came across a rare treat: a barreleye fish (Macropinna microstoma). pic.twitter.com/XjYj04MOCt

— MBARI (@MBARI_News) December 9, 2021