"Deepest Ever" Living Fish Filmed

Scientists believe they have discovered the "deepest ever" living fish. The team found the surprisingly active fish at depths of 4.8 miles in the Japan Trench in the Pacific, and captured them on film. The scientists have been using remote-operated landers designed to withstand immense pressures to comb the world's deepest depths for marine life. The fish, known as Pseudoliparis amblystomopsis, can be seen darting about while scooping up shrimps.

Click on the link to the article to view video of the fish.

Scientists note that the fish are about 12 inches long and are "surprisingly cute." Nobody has really looked at these depths before, and the scientists indicated that one day fish will likely be seen living much deeper. The previous record for any fish to have been spotted alive was thought to have stood at about 4 miles.

Scientists note there are several obstacles to overcome in living at such depths. The first is food supply, which is very remote and has to come from 5 miles above. There is also very high pressure. They have to have all sorts of physiological modifications, mainly at the molecular level. The third obstacle is that these deep trenches are in effect small islands in the wide abyss and there is a question of whether these trenches are big enough to support thriving endemic populations.

Because the fish live in complete darkness, they use vibration receptors on their snouts to navigate and to locate food.

Original article here.