News

It isn't everyday that an underwater photographer helps make marine biology history, but a photograph by Crispin Middleton of a previously unidentified four inch-long translucent whisp has turned out to be the first picture ever of the rare Juvenile Spiderfish.

Although the benthic dwelling adult Spiderfish rarely ascends above 5,000 feet, scientists believe that the juveniles of this species remain near the surface until maturity, when they descend to abyssal depths. Once mature, Spiderfish have been known to grow up to 18-inches, with wing-like appendages to propel along the sea floor and needle-sharp teeth for predation.

"It has excellent camouflage," explains New Zealand marine specialist Wade Doak. "It looks like jellyfish or salp and has total translucency which would mean it is seldom preyed upon." You can view this historic photograph on in the Northern Advocate.

Who knows; maybe you too could be the first to photograph a rare species!