Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Zoarcid Fish



In 1977 a newly discovered rainbow vent field, in the mid Atlantic Ridge was visited by biologists. During one of the dives, a Zoarcid fish was seen dwelling among the mussels. This was the first time this fish was ever seen and on their next expedition, they took specimens to analyze the newly discovered species.
The Zoarcid fish, or eelpout, live near tube worms and mussels near sea vents. this two foot long white fish, despite being a slow moving fish, they are the top predators of there ecosystem. They feast on things like crabs to tube worms. These fish have a huge appetite and spend a lot of time floating around clumps tube worms and mussels.

www.divediscover.whoi.edu/vents/index.html


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