The telescope fish (genus Gigantura) inhabits the midnight zone (bathypelagic zone) of the ocean, typically 1,000 to 4,000 meters deep.
Named for their telescopic, upward-facing tubular eyes, these fish are highly adapted for life in complete darkness. Their eyes help detect silhouettes of prey illuminated by faint overhead light or bioluminescence.
Telescope fish can grow up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) and have elongated, transparent bodies with reflective scales that reduce their visibility to predators.
They are ambush predators, often feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans.
These creatures are rarely seen due to the extreme depths they inhabit, and much of what we know comes from deep-sea trawling expeditions and ROV footage.
The telescope fish (genus Gigantura) inhabits the midnight zone (bathypelagic zone) of the ocean, typically 1,000 to 4,000 meters deep.
Named for their telescopic, upward-facing tubular eyes, these fish are highly adapted for life in complete darkness. Their eyes help detect silhouettes of prey illuminated by faint overhead light or bioluminescence.
Telescope fish can grow up to 25 centimeters (about 10 inches) and have elongated, transparent bodies with reflective scales that reduce their visibility to predators.
They are ambush predators, often feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans.
These creatures are rarely seen due to the extreme depths they inhabit, and much of what we know comes from deep-sea trawling expeditions and ROV footage.