Life of Fish in Sea

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Background information Little is known about deep-sea life. However, animals recently discovered in the deep sea are known to live under very extreme conditions, including darkness, high pressure, and drastic temperature changes. On the ocean floor, hot fluids released from the hydrovents can reach 750 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, little sunlight, if any, reaches beyond 3,000 feet; no wavelengths can be absorbed, and the world is dark. Consequently, deep sea fish and other animals have acquired adaptations that allow them to "create" their own light, a process called bioluminescence. All of the following information and images of deep sea creatures are courtesy of PBS’s NOVA "Life in the Abyss" available on the Internet:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/abyss/life/bestiary.html Anglerfish (Cryptopasaras couesi): More commonly known as the "triplewart sea devil," the female has 3 luminescent sacs, called caruncles, in front of her dorsal fin. The caruncles also aid in enticing prey to within striking distances. The males are parasites and premanently attach themeselves to her sida to facilitate breeding. Gulper (Eurypharynx pelecanoides): Also known as the "umbrellamouth gulper" or "the pelican eel," this fish can greatly expand its hinged jaws to engulf fishes and deposit them in its pouch-like lower jaw. These fish grow up to 2 feet long, including their whip-like tail , and live in depths greater than 6,500 feet. Anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsoni): This fish is very round shaped with a large mouth. Nicknamed the "black whale" or "common black devil," its ferocious appearance is deceiving, since it can only reach a maximum length of 5 inches. Viperfish (Chauliodus sloani): Its lower fangs are so long that they don’t even fit in its mouth!! Instead, they project back close to the eyes. No viperfish has ever been photographed in its natural habitat, but it is

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