At first glance, it looks like a CGI creation or an alien from a sci-fi movie! But if you clicked the link from our Brain Test Quiz video, get ready to discover the bizarre and 100% real secret of the Barreleye Fish (Macropinna microstoma).
This deep-sea dweller has a completely transparent shield covering its head!
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A Creature from the Deep Abyss
Living in the freezing, pitch-black waters of the deep ocean (around 2,000 to 2,600 feet down), the Barreleye fish has evolved in one of the most incredible ways possible. Because there is almost zero sunlight where they live, they developed a transparent, fluid-filled dome over their heads to catch every tiny bit of light available.
The BIZARRE Secret: Those Aren't Its Eyes! 🤯
When you look at the face of the Barreleye fish, you immediately notice two dark spots above its mouth. But here is the crazy twist:
- The Fake Eyes: Those two dark spots on the front of its face are actually its nostrils (called nares), used to smell out prey!
- The Real Eyes: The actual eyes are those glowing, bright green orbs located deep inside its transparent head!
- How It Works: The green lenses act like natural sunglasses, filtering out sunlight so the fish can see the glowing silhouettes of jellyfish above it. It looks straight up through its own head to hunt!
Watch it in action (Rare Footage by MBARI):
Watch how the glowing green eyes move around inside the transparent shield!
Nature is truly more bizarre than fiction! Did you guess this weird creature correctly in our challenge? Head back to the video and let us know in the comments!
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