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Francis Whittaker and Tom Levitt, MSN Environment

“Barreleye” Fish

The Barreleye Fish (Image © Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI))
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

 

The Barreleye, spookfish or just 'the fish with the transparent head' is one of the more unusual deep-water species. It gets its name from its barrel-shaped, tubular eyes. Marine biologists initially thought they could only provide a tunnel-vision view of whatever was above the fish's head. However they have since found out that its eyes can rotate within the transparent shield that covers the fish's head. This allows the spooky-looking fish to stare upwards at potential prey or switch to looking straight ahead.

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