For the first time, scientists have qualitatively photographed a rare fish with a transparent head.
Off the coast of California, researchers managed to capture in high 4K resolution one of the unusual deep sea fish - the macropina, or side eye. Experts carried out the survey using a remotely controlled vehicle at a depth of about 600 meters, about 90 km from the coast. The fish attracted attention not only because of the transparent "hood" on its head, through which its tubular green eyes are visible, but also because of the difficulty that people encounter it. During almost 40 years of research and about 7,000 dives, the institute encountered this species only 11 times. According to the expedition's senior researcher, Stephen Haddock, in old drawings of captured specimens, its cap was usually missing, so for a long time it was difficult to believe that we were talking about the same species.
The transparent head helps the fish survive in the darkness of the depths: through it it scans the space above itself and notices the shadows of potential prey. Large fins allow it to float almost motionless in the water, and its eyes can turn in different directions so as not to lose sight of the prey. In addition, the jelly-like "shield" protects the eyes when the fish grabs small crustaceans from the tentacles of the siphonophores.
This is such a high-tech beauty created by nature.