Macropinna Microstoma

February 26, 2009 10:16 AM

A really bizarre-looking fish.

I mean, quite bizarre. Not that the transparent-headed Macropinna Microstoma, otherwise known as the barrelfish, is the only weird-looking critter in the sea. Just ask any icthyologist.

posted by digaman (6 comments total)

Double.
posted by hermitosis at 10:18 AM on February 26, 2009

Apparently the fact that this fish even has that transparent dome head was only recently discovered, because when they would be caught in the past the dome would be collapsed and the eyes stuck to the head. here's an example illustration.
posted by delmoi at 10:19 AM on February 26, 2009

Ugh, sorry.
posted by digaman at 10:20 AM on February 26, 2009

here is an old illustration of that specific fish, the Macropinna Microstoma. The wikipedia link was a different barreleye fish.

Also, the FPP calls this a "barrelfish" but it should be "barreleye fish", right?
posted by delmoi at 10:22 AM on February 26, 2009

I've known several human versions of that fish.
posted by MuffinMan at 10:23 AM on February 26, 2009

I concur.
posted by Ugh at 10:24 AM on February 26, 2009 [1 favorite]