News
Flat-Faced Crawling Fish Discovered
Editors Note -
This is exciting news from DPG friends Andy and Buck from Maluku Divers and The Archipelago Fleet. We posted a picture of the anglerfish when it was first discovered and it seems to be a very rare new species.
Discovered in Indonesia in January, the species has forward-looking eyes like a human and crawls rather than swims.
These and other traits suggest the fist-size animal may represent a new family of fishes, University of Washington fish expert Ted Pietsch announced on April 2, when this photo was released. DNA tests are needed for confirmation.
Pietsch first learned of the unnamed species from dive-facility operators on Ambon island, Indonesia. "I knew it had to be an anglerfish because of the leglike pectoral fins on its sides," he said in a statement.
But the new species lacks the trademark forehead "lure" that other anglerfish use to attract prey.
These and other traits suggest the fist-size animal may represent a new family of fishes, University of Washington fish expert Ted Pietsch announced on April 2, when this photo was released. DNA tests are needed for confirmation.
Pietsch first learned of the unnamed species from dive-facility operators on Ambon island, Indonesia. "I knew it had to be an anglerfish because of the leglike pectoral fins on its sides," he said in a statement.
But the new species lacks the trademark forehead "lure" that other anglerfish use to attract prey.
RELATED ARTICLES
LATEST EQUIPMENT
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Sponsor
Newsletter
Travel with us
Featured Photographer
Joseph Tepper
Expert Photographer
I started diving at the age of ten and since that time have wanted to become a better photographer whether using a disposable Kodak waterproof (you know the blue ones) or my D300s. Last summer I received my dive-master in Grand...
Sponsors
