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Incredible Barreleye video

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 13 Feb 2012

This incredible footage of a live Barreleye was taken by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. It has been viewed on YouTube over 3 million times.

Head of a Glasshead Barreleye

Head of a Glasshead Barreleye
Adrian Flynn © Adrian Flynn

The Barreleye, Macropinna microstoma has a transparent head and tubular eyes (the green upwardly directed globes). It lives at depths down to 800 m. The footage was taken by an ROV (remotely operated vehicle).

The species occurs in northern Pacific waters.  About 11 species of barreleyes (family Opisthoproctidae) occur worldwide, with three species currently known from Australian waters;

  • Grimaldi's Barreleye, Opisthoproctus grimaldii
  • Glasshead Barreleye, Rhynchohyalus natalensis
  • Binocular Fish, Winteria telescopa.

Additional reading:

  1. View the Fishbase page for more information on Macropinna microstoma.
  2. View still images of Macropinna microstoma on the MBARI website.
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Tags fishes, ichthyology, Macropinna microstoma, Opisthoproctidae, Barreleye,