At first glance, this may seem like a CGI image of a creature from a fantasy movie. This is in fact the Barreleye or 'spook fish' as it is often jokingly called.
Its name derives from their barrel-shaped, tubular eyes. These are generally directed upwards to detect the silhouettes of prey, however, it is now believed that the fish can move its eyes forwards too.
Using remotely operated underwater vehicles , scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute first captured moving images to the creature in 2009, with still images having been captured in 2004.
Little is known about the fishes reproductive habits, although there is some evidence to suggest that it is a pelagic spawner; meaning it's eggs and sperm are released directly into the water where they then fertilise.
Few efforts have been made to extract the fish from its natural habitat despite it being known about since 1939.
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