Shape-shifting fish that confounded scientists for 100 years spotted off California coast
Posted on 08/13/2021 12:50:56 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A rare fish, which much is unknown about, was captured by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) cameras in Monterey Bay. >>Watch the video above to see the fish.
According to MBARI, whalefishes have rarely been collected alive and much of their biology remains a mystery to this day. Even MBARI's deep see remote-operated vehicles have only spotted this species 18 times in 34 years.
According to MBARI scientists, "Whalefishes (order Cetomimiformes) lack external scales and pelvic fins, and in adults, the eyes are very primitive and small. The eyes’ lenses are lost after they transform from the larval stage, and with it, they lose the ability to form images. But instead of relying on sight to survive, they have an incredible ability to feel their surroundings. They have a highly sensitive lateral line system, with sensory pores that run over the head and down the length of the body to help them feel vibrations in the water around them."
I swear, Mom had those sensory pores and could feel vibrations. "Hey you kids, KNOCK IT OFF in there!!"
That’s one primeval sumbtich. Wow.
I’d soil me pantaloons if I ever saw one of those.
Butter and lemon?
Dang global warming
A large whalefish may be 16 inches in length.
“Butter and lemon?”
You’d better have a bunch of them like french fries. They’re only 1-1/4 inches long.
My favorite is still the Coelacanth, leftover from the Cretaceous Period.
I always thought she had eyes in the back of her head. It all comes clear now.
Looks like a sole from an Air Jordan or something. Filet of Sole. Interesting fish though.
Yes, Coelacanth. I learned about him sometime in my Wonder Years. Have never lost my amazement at such a thing. My favorite primeval sumbitch, too.
Little did we know!
Just finished reading “A Fish Caught in Time : The Search for the Coelacanth” by Samantha Weinberg (2001). I bought it new from a book dealer on Amazon.
Maybe smoked.
Pretty good timing. Coelocanth waited a long time to inspire this conversation.)
Something about the Sea holds a great terror for me, along with the awe I feel. A bit too much below the water line for me to be comfortable.
Resembles Joe Biden in the face.
Dove a lot in Monterey but never heard of this one.
Cool!
I think that it’s cruel for people to post photos of Joy Behar when she’s out swimming.
#3. Haven’t you seen recent pictures of Nancy Pelosi?
Whalefish don’t bother anyone. Pelosi is an existential threat to all forms of known life.
#10. There is something fishy about your comments. Can you scale them down a bit? /sarc
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