Strange fish has a see-through head

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Strange fish has a see-through head

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Posted by . on February 23, 2009 at 23:09:24:

Ultra-sensitive tubular eyes search for the silhouettes of prey overhead

The barreleye (Macropinna microstoma) has extremely light-sensitive eyes that can rotate within a transparent, fluid-filled shield on its head. The fish's tubular eyes are capped by bright green lenses. The eyes point upward (as shown here) when the fish is looking for food overhead.

Macropinna microstoma

A bizarre deep-water fish called the barreleye has a transparent head and tubular eyes. Since the fish's discovery in 1939, biologists have known the eyes were very good at collecting light. But their shape seemed to leave the fish with tunnel vision.

Now scientists say the eyes rotate, allowing the barreleye to see directly forward or look upward through its transparent head.

CNBC article

National Geographic Article

Fishbase listing for Macropinna microstoma

Fox 35 Monterey Story and Video of this fish

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Video of Macropinna microstoma . 10:42:52 02/24/09 (0)

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