Rare Deep-Sea Fish Winteria Telescopa: Unique Features and First Footage
During an expedition to a poorly explored region of the Atlantic Ocean, researchers managed to capture footage of the rare deep-sea fish Winteria telescopa at a depth of 710 meters—marking the first-ever video recording of this species in its natural habitat. The fish possesses a transparent head and unusual tubular eyes.
Unlike most fish, whose eyes are positioned on the sides of their heads, Winteria telescopa has eyes located within parallel tubes inside a transparent, fluid-filled chamber. This anatomical structure helps it detect faint light rays and bioluminescence in complete darkness.
Previously, the main source of information about this fish came from rare specimens accidentally caught in nets. However, upon being brought to the surface, the fragile head disintegrates, making the new video footage extremely valuable.
Additionally, during the dive, scientists observed two bigfin squid (Magnapinna sp.). These deep-sea squid are characterized by their thread-like tentacles, which can reach up to eight meters in length.
Expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
A 35-day expedition aboard the research vessel “Falkor,” operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, was dedicated to studying the Megatransform Zone of the Doldrums Fracture Zone. This area is located in the central Atlantic, north of the equator, approximately 1,300 kilometers from the northeastern coast of Brazil. This tectonically active system crosses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the longest mountain range on the planet.
The researchers discovered two new hydrothermal fields—areas of the seafloor with hot springs. These are the first such fields found in the Doldrums Fracture Zone, although similar fields have been discovered along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge before.
One of the fields turned out to be enormous, containing 23 springs, 13 of which were active “black smokers.” These tube-like structures, formed from mineral deposits, emit black “smoke”—a suspension of metal sulfides. The field covered an area of approximately 99,000 square meters, equivalent to 14 football fields.
At the site, scientists collected samples of superheated fluid (reaching up to 280 °C) and observed anemones, crabs, and thousands of blind shrimp, Rimicaris. These shrimp live in symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria, which derive energy from the chemical compounds in the springs. The bacteria settle on the shrimp’s gills, while the shrimp feed on the organic substances produced by the bacteria.
“Even in the Atlantic Ocean, where plate boundaries have been studied for decades, there are still places where a first glance can reveal something entirely new. This expedition has shown that even in one of the most remote corners of the ocean, our planet remains alive, dynamic, and full of surprises,” emphasized Aaron Micallef, the expedition’s chief scientist.
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