Weird Sea Monsters

Although this picture was taken in 2004, scientists have just now released the shocking picture of the weird fish with the transparent head. This Pacific barrel eye fish shows off its highly sensitive, barrel-like eyes topped by green, orb like lenses.

The fish, discovered alive in the deep water off California’s central coast by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), is the first specimen of its kind to be found with its soft transparent dome intact.

The 6-inch (15-centimeter) barreleye (Macropinna microstoma) had been known since 1939–but only from mangled specimens dragged to the surface by nets.

I never really wondered if fish had ears or not, but in a recent discovery scientists found fish in the deep end of the waters that evolved ears like no others. Examining several fish species collected from waters as deep as 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers), researchers discovered ear structures never seen before in other fish.The strange structures may enhance the animals’ hearing, researchers speculate.

The inner ear (pictured) of a blue antimora (inset) is exceptionally rigid—a feature never before seen in a deep-sea fish, according to a study to be presented in May 2009.

A new frog species was discovered during an expedition to Papua New Guinea last year, which was just one of the 50 new species found during the expedition. A “large and spectacular”—and possibly new—tree frog species of the Nyctimystes genus squatted near a clear mountain river, giving photographers a spectacular shot of the neon green frog.

Fisherman and scientists have officially found the largest freshwater stingray in the world to date. The humongous freshwater fish weighs an estimated 550 to 990 pounds and was caught by the National Geographic team in Thailand on Januray 28, 2009.

The scorpionfish is characterized by its bizzare appearance and the numerous spines that covers its body. Similar to the lionfish, these spines contain venom strong enough to cause very painful wounds and serious allergic reactions to those who come in contact with it. The unusual appearance of the mushroom scorpionfish helps to conceal its loction as they wait and ambush for prey.

This octopus is called the Big Red and it is very peculiar looking. This oddball was found about 1500m deep in the ocean and was capture beautifully.

Here is the Big Red in all of its glory. Absolutely Stunning!

I came upon this picture of an interesting sea horse but I have no idea what it’s called or where it can be found. Either way, it is absolutely amazing that something like this even exists on our planet!

Despite its delicate, decorated appearance, this jewel squid was found 1,650 lung-crushing feet (500 meters) beneath the surface of the North Atlantic.

Scientists on a recent deep-sea expedition found the squid, called Histioteuthis, along with an abundance of other species thought to be very rare, if not unknown, elsewhere.

Jewel squid are known for their mismatched eyes, one of which is larger than the other to scope for prey in the deep’s darkness.

These beautiful school of grunt fish was photographed in the Caribbean Sea. They get their name Grunt Fish from the sound they make when grinding their teeth, using their swim bladders to amplify the sound.

This frilled shark is actually pretty rare and was photographed live in Japan in 2007. This is considered a “living fossil” with primitive morphology, such as a fixed upper jaw. The species feeds and hids in crevices and caves and apparently has the longest gestation period of any animal (3.5 years!).