The Deep Sea Hatchetfish: A Fish From Another World

selim12 January 18, 2024 0 Comments

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Meet The deep sea hatchetfish, Scientifically known as the Sternoptychinae are deep sea mesopelagic fish. They have a particular shaped body and unique adaptations to thrive in the deep ocean. But We Will Come to that!

Sternoptychina

Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans

Smaller fish, Crustaceans

Animal Type

deep-sea hatchet fishes

Size

8-12 cm.

Depth

from 50 to 1500 meters.

Table of Contents

The History And Naming Of The Hatchetish:

The name of ternoptyx-subfamily derives from the Greek name stérnon in reference to the thorax shape of marine hatchet fish. They were first described by Johann Hermann in 1781.

Habitat:

They are found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are found from depths starting from 50 to 1500 meters.

Physical Appearance Of The Deep Sea Hatchetfish:

They have shaped deep compressed bodies like a hatchet. They have transparent bodies, ranging from 2.8 cm to 12 cm. They have bioluminescent photophores like their relatives. Their pelvis is rotated to a vertical position. The mouth is located at the tip of the snout pointing downwards. They also have silver scales. The anal fin and caudal fin are transparent.With a perpendicular spine, the anal fin has 11 to 19 rays helping the camouflage. Their tube-shaped eyes are big and collect much more light from close and far distances.

Diet Of The Hatchetfish:

They eat small crustaceans, animal plankton, and all tiny particles coming from the surface using their specialized jaw structure to efficiently capture their prey.

Behavior And Lifespan Of The Hatchetish:

This fish uses a technique called counter-illumination: it matches the light intensity from the light passing from above the fish, so it appears invisible or dark from above. This helps the fish to detect the animal silhouette from above and stay undetected from prey. They migrate to shallower water to feed. They have a short lifespan of a year. It goes to deeper water at night to hide from predators and

Bioluminescence Of Deep Sea Hatchetfish:

Like other deep-sea fishes, they have bioluminescent photophores along their body to help them create their own light for hunting.

Deep Sea Hatchetfish Reproduction And LifeCycle :

The mating occurs at deeper regions with females releasing eggs ascending toward the surface. The juveniles look much more different than adults.

Unique Adaptations to Pressure:

To survive extremely cold remote depths, the hatchet fish evolved a gel-filled and skeleton-reduced body and extremely sensitive eyes to detect prey from above. One of the most intriguing aspects of deep-sea hatchetfish is their ability to scatter light using specialized reflective scales. This adaptation helps them camouflage themselves in the dark ocean depths, making it difficult for predators to spot them

Predators And Threats Of The Deep Sea Hatchetifsh:

These fishes are threatened by bigger fishes like sharks and whales but their system and defensive mechanisms are there to protect. They also face the danger of human pollution from all materials dropping from above the surface.

Conservation Status:

Despite their vulnerability due to their small size and limited lifespan, deep-sea hatchetfish are not currently considered at risk. Their unique adaptations and behavior have allowed them to thrive in the deep sea ecosystem.

Cool Facts:

-There are 45 known species of hatchetfish.

-Hatchetfish can regulate the intensity and color of the light to match the light filtering down.

Can Deep Sea Hatchetfish survive in shallow waters?

No, they are adapted to the extreme conditions of the deep sea and are not found.

The Deep Sea Hatchetfish, with its ethereal glow and enigmatic nature, may hold cultural significance in the narratives of various societies. It’s a unique fish with incredible adaptations!