Smiling Sea Monster: A Charming Fish Discovered at a Depth of Over 3,000 Meters (5 photos + 1 video)

At a depth of 3,268 meters, scientists discovered a new species of snailfish. An adult female, 9.2 cm long, swam merrily amidst immense pressure, icy cold, and perpetual darkness.





Marine biologists spotted the pink, large-eyed creature while exploring the seafloor off the coast of California using a remotely operated vehicle.

The scientists examined the specimen using microscopes and micro-CT scanning, and also took precise measurements. This allowed them to determine that it differs from all previously known species. The smiling creature was named the bumpy slugfish (Careproctus colliculi).

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They also examined two other specimens and found that they were also new to science. These were a dark slug and a smooth slug.

Slugfish typically have a large head, a soft body with loose skin, and a narrow tail. Many have a suction cup on their abdomen, allowing them to cling to the bottom or larger animals.

Slugfish are captivating with their cute appearance. One commenter on the video compared the deep-sea creature to a Pokémon.



"The deep is astonishing in its biodiversity and unique adaptations," said Mackenzie Gerringer, an associate professor at the State University of New York at Geneseo. "This discovery reminds us how much we still have to learn about life on Earth and the power of curiosity."

This encounter was the only documented sighting of a tuberculate slugfish.

Stephen Haddock, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Oceanographic Research Center, led the expedition. He emphasized the importance of documenting deep-sea biodiversity to identify any changes occurring in this environment.





Scientists have discovered over 400 species of slugfish worldwide. These amazing creatures live in a wide variety of environments, from shallow intertidal zones to deep-sea trenches. They also hold the record for deepest habitats. In April 2023, Australian and Japanese ichthyologists used a deep-sea vehicle to film a slugfish in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench at a depth of 8,336 meters.