Researchers working off the coast of Australia are cataloging rarely seen, and even some new, species that lurk in the depths of the ocean.
International scientists on a 58-member team on board CSIRO's research ship, are showing off what they've discovered on their latest research trip, The Herald Sun reported.
They’ve found common fish like a blob fish, which was considered the world’s ugliest animal when it was first discovered in 2003.
There’s a faceless fish that has no eyes, but does have a mouth that scientists say reminds them of the Mona Lisa. They had known about the fish’s existence but it has only been seen occasionally over the past century.
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A coffinfish was also pulled from the depths. It has a stem on its head that looks like bait and is used to reel in prey.
They also found sea pigs, which are a type of sea cucumbers, a dumbo octopus that uses its ear-like fins to swim through the water and carnivorous sponges.
Scientists told ABC that they used a specially designed camera that was lowered into the abyss as deep as 4 kilometers, or more than 2 miles, that allowed them to see in an area so deep that light cannot reach.
About a third of the animals scientists discovered over their month-long expedition are new to the scientific community, New Scientist reported.