Smiling Sea Monster from the Abyss: A New Snailfish Emerges at 3,268 Meters
Deep beneath the waves off California, researchers encountered a new Liparidae species at a depth of 3,268 meters. The adult female measured 9.2 cm and seemed to smile as she swam through crushing pressure, icy cold, and perpetual darkness.
In This Article:
Rosy, Big-Eyed Beauty in the Deep
A remotely operated vehicle captured a rosy snailfish with large eyes gliding along the seafloor off California. Its pink skin and expressive features stood out against the abyss as it explored the trench’s edge. The creature’s charm has drawn comparisons to popular culture, reminding observers of life from the deepest oceans.
A New Taxon: Careproctus colliculi, the Rugose Snailfish
Scientists studied the specimen with microscopes and micro-CT scanning, taking precise measurements to determine its identity. They concluded that it differs from all previously known species and named it Careproctus colliculi, the rugose snailfish. The term rugose reflects its textured, bumpy body.
Two More Found: Dark and Smooth Snailfish Also New to Science
Beyond the holotype, researchers examined two additional individuals and found them to be new to science—a dark snailfish and a smooth snailfish. Snailfishes typically feature a large head, a soft body with loose skin, and a suction disc on the belly to cling to the seabed or to larger animals.
Why Deep-Sea Biodiversity Matters
“The depth astonishes with its biodiversity and the unique adaptations of life,” said Mackenzie Herringer, Associate Professor at SUNY Geneseo. This sighting remains the only documented observation of Careproctus colliculi to date. Led by Steven Haddock, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Oceanographic Research Center, the expedition underscored the importance of documenting deep-sea biodiversity to detect changes in this fragile environment. Scientists have described more than 400 snailfish species worldwide, occupying everything from shallow tidal zones to deep trenches. In April 2023, Australian and Japanese ichthyologists using a deep-sea vehicle filmed a snailfish in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench at 8,336 meters.
