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In 2019, scientists first captured footage of an unusual snailfish with large eyes and multiple rays on its pectoral fins at a depth of more than 3.2 km. It has now been confirmed to be one of three snail species new to science.
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These include the pink bumpy Careproctus colliculi and two dark species, Careproctus yanceyi and Paraliparise. All were discovered in one of the most studied deep-sea zones on the planet.
Remarkably, two different species were captured on a single dive by the Alvin, highlighting how little we know about life in the deep ocean. These fish use their many fin rays not only to move, but also to sense their surroundings – through vibrations, smells and even taste.
