The Names of Fish in Deep Sea Waters

Cloaked in total darkness, where high atmospheric pressure and low levels of oxygen create the least explored areas of earth, this deep-sea zone encompasses the majority of the ocean and is home to a number of its most unusual creatures. The fish that live here are interesting and widely unknown to humans because we can't venture deep enough to see them without scientific equipment and they are typically unable to live in captivity.

  1. Lanternfish

    • The lanternfish is a silvery-transparent fish that is only about 6 inches long as a full grown adult, although some may grow as long as 1 foot in length. These fish dwell in depths from about 1,200 feet to 3,000 feet and feed on even smaller fish it attracts with its bioluminescent underbelly.

      Lanternfish are found in the ocean depths all over the world and are among the most common fish in the sea. The lanternfish breed externally with the female releasing an egg into the water and the male fertilizing it externally as well.

      These fish migrate vertically each day, spending their days in the deep ocean and coming closer to the surface at night. They are thought to remain deeper in the day because they want to avoid predators at shallower depths. Whales, dolphins, tuna, sharks and squid are among the shallow water species that find them to be a tasty treat.

    Bristlemouth

    • The bristlemouth is a small fish that is almost completely clear in appearance, with two rows of bioluminescent lights along its underside. The bristlemouth is the world's most abundant fish, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium website.

      The bristlemouth is popular prey among other deep-sea fish because of its abundance.

      The fish cleverly avoid predators in a very interesting way. Since the fish are all but transparent and have lights on their belly, they are able to hover above deep-sea fish and appear invisible. The bioluminescent lights and the transparent color of the body make it appear as though they cast no shadow. Since many deep-sea fish look toward the surface for faint light to cast shadows around shallower fish for feeding, this protects the bristlemouth from otherwise certain demise.

    Viperfish

    • The viperfish looks and acts as fierce as its name indicates. These long skinny fish can reach lengths up to 2 feet and have large dilated, bulging eyes and long sharp fangs that protrude from the mouth, almost touching the fish's eyes.

      These predator fish charge at high speeds to impale their prey on the teeth jutting from their mouth. It is believed the first vertebra behind its head is a shock absorber to protect the fish as it rams into its victim.

      The viperfish also migrates during the day, staying around 5,000 feet deep in the daytime and coming to within 2,000 feet of the surface at night to hunt.