Meet "Mr Faceless"

It first sighting dates back to 1873. It then disappeared for more than 100 years. Until recently, when it was dug off the coast of Australia.

It measures just over 50 cm, does not seem to have either eyes or nose, not even the gills and the mouth is very hidden. That's why it was called "fish without face" and still represents a mystery to the researchers.

This strange creature of has been dug up to 4 km deep off the coasts of Sydney (Australia). This is the second specimen ever observed so far.

THE LAST SIGHTING

This creature of the abyss was first observed in 1873. The presence of this strange fish was recorded by the crew of the HMS Challenger who found it in the waters of Papua New Guinea. Since then its presence has remained a mystery.

"This little fish is amazing," said Tim O'Hara, the chief investigator who retrieved the specimen-because it mouth is on the belly of the animal; so when you look at the side you can not see your eyes, you can not see the nose, the gills or the mouth. "

THE STUDY

Replenishing the "faceless fish" was an expedition of researchers from the Victoria Museum and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), consisting of 27 scientists, 13 technicians and 20 crew members.

The shipment drifted to the bottom of the ocean with a bucket attached to a thin 8 km long cable discovering many new species.

"We found crabs, marine worms and other animals that are unknown to science today," said O'Hara. "According to experts," the researcher continued, "a third of the species populating our seas are still to be discovered and classified."

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References for further reading

Japan Times

Phys

Nation Geo

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