Strange Looking Fish Found on New Zealand Deep Ocean Seafloor

Posted on July 27, 2012

New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) worked with the research vessel Tangaroa to explore the deep ocean seafloor. NIWA scientists trawled to depths of 2,730 meters northwest of the Graveyard Hills on the north Chatham Rise.

The trawls revealed odd looking fish from the deep ocean. They include fish that are new to science as well as some rare fishes. Some of the fish found include a flabby whalefish, 3 new slickheads, a juvenile Richardson's skate, large warty cusk-eel, new record of a white rattail, and several unidentified fishes.

NIWA fisheries scientist Peter McMillan says, "We were fortunate to get an opportunity to explore this deep area on the Chatham Rise. It's great to know what we have, and how much."

A Flabby Whalefish is pictured above and a large white rattail is pictured below. You can see photos of all the fish here.


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