Earth’s deep oceans are often called the “the last great unexplored frontier.” In waters blacker than oil and at depths pounded by unimaginable pressure lies an underwater world untouched by Man, bursting with life, strange as it may be. Thousands of uniquely adapted species call the deep oceans home, but five of the most bizarre fish species are creeping deep below.
Viperfish
The viperfish can be found a mile under the surface, lurking along as their strategically placed photophores illuminate the pitch-black waters. While most viperfish are solid black, some are transparent from complete loss of pigmentation. Like many other creatures of the deep, viperfish undergo a bioluminescence chemical process to illuminate parts of their bodies, adding to their bizarre appearance.
Fangtooth Fish
The fangtooth fish may look like other menacing monsters of the deep, but it only grows up to six inches long, most of which is comprised of its head. The fangtooth fish obviously received its name from the huge, sharp teeth lining its enormous mouth. Living at extremely pressurized depths of 15,000 feet or more of near-freezing water, the small fish eats almost everything that crosses its path.
Dragonfish
Despite its tiny size, the dragonfish is a ferocious little predator. Like the fangtooth, the dragonfish only grows to six inches long and has a large head equipped with numerous long, sharp teeth. However, the dragonfish also has a barbell photophore attached to its chin, serving as a lure to attract and disorient smaller fish species.
Anglerfish
The eerie-looking angler fish has a large, round body resembling a basketball and long, fang-like teeth. Despite its ferocious appearance, the angler fish only grows up to five inches long. Like other deep-sea fish species, it also has a photophore at the end of its dorsal fin to attract potential prey.
Chimaera
The long-nosed chimera, ghost shark, and rabbitfish continue to awe biologists. Reaching five feet in length, this deep ocean fish has a long, protruding nose resembling a shark. Although the bizarre fish is only distantly related to sharks and lives 8,000 feet below, the venomous poison on its dorsal fin’s spine is deadly enough to kill a man.
