Page 58 - Fish and Amphibians (Britannica Illustrated Science Library)

55
FISH AND AMPHIBIANS FUMAROLE Openings in the Earth's surface that discharge geothermal water and minerals. As the water cools, these minerals solidify. 36° F (2° C) Temperature of water heated by fumaroles TUBE WORM TENTACLES Tube worms have neither mouths nor digestive tracts. They feed on organic molecules formed from elem

POINTED TEETH It gulps down its prey after grabbing them with its enormous teeth and its strong suction force. DRAGONFISH Bathophilus sp. Found in most tropical regions of the world, it has photophores along both sides of its body.

SHARP, 1.1 tons = (1,000 kg)

SLOANE'S VIPERFISH Chauliodus sloani Between 12 and 20 inches (30 and 50 cm) in stature, it is dark blue or silvery in color and lives in warm tropical waters. TAPETUM reflects light like a mirror. Each ray hits the retina twice, doubling its sensitivity. CHIN APPENDAGE Shines in the darkness LANTERN produces bluish light, which reaches farthest underwater. 1.3 cubic yards (1 cu m) of water feet
vents in the seafloor that warm the nearby waters. In spite of this natural warmth, in
species known as abyssal fish. In this environment, life is possible near hydrothermal
EYES FOR SEEING IN DIM LIGHT HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE The weight of the column of water. The pressure of the water increases with depth. In the Mariana Trench (the deepest undersea trench on the planet), every square centimeter bears the weight of 1.2 tons (7.7 tons per square inch) of water.
n depths below 8,200 feet (2,500 m), where barely any light penetrates, live rare
photophores that shine in the darkness. They also are usually black or dark brown for
many areas the temperature never rises above 36° F (2° C). At this depth fish have
vegetation can grow there. To attract their prey, many have “lure” organs made of
peculiar shapes, with large heads and strong teeth for eating other fish, since no
LANTERN Like most abyssal fish, it has a lure organ. Blind to red light. It registers only blue light waves, which travel better in the water. 4 inches (10 cm) SKIN Dark colors are likely to make it invisible to attackers. HUMPBACK ANGLERFISH Melanocetus johnsonii 6 inches (15 cm) long. Its small fins are insufficient to enable fast maneuvering. 8,200 (2,500 m) Depth of water

RETINA
LIGHT
RAY
OF
Kings of Darkness
FANGTOOTH Anoplogaster cornuta This fearsome hunter kills its prey by seizing it with its jaw and strong teeth. GLOWING LURE Produces light to attract prey DIMENSIONS Weight 10.6 ounces (300 g)

ILLUMINATED NETDEVIL Linophryne arborifera has a glowing lure on the end of its nose and a branching beard that also glows to attract prey. The male is smaller than the female and lives off of her like a parasite. GLOWING LURE gives off light to attract prey.

FILAMENTS cover its entire body for protection. Black, to avoid

DIVERSITY purposes of camouflage. FANFIN SEADEVIL Caulophryne jordani This dark-brown fish uses the photophore organ on BODY being seen by predators KILLER JAWS In the ocean's depths, only the best hunter survives. CHIN APPENDAGE Produces light to attract prey ATLANTIC FOOTBALL FISH Himantolophus groenlandicus The females can reach up to 24 inches (60 cm) long, whereas the males barely reach 1.6 inches (4 cm) long and live as

54 I its head to penetrate the darkness. TAILS AND FINS contain luminous cells.