description Barreleye Overview
The barreleye is a family of deep-sea fish (Opisthoproctidae) characterized by a transparent, fluid-filled head enclosing tubular eyes. The eyes typically rotate to look upward through the transparent dome, allowing detection of prey silhouettes against faint surface light. The first specimen was described in 1939. Barreleyes inhabit mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones at depths of several hundred meters.
help Barreleye FAQ
What is the most unique physical feature of the barreleye fish?
The most striking feature of the barreleye fish is its completely transparent head, which is filled with a clear fluid. Inside this see-through dome, its tubular, green eyes look straight upward to spot prey in the dark ocean depths.
When was the barreleye fish first scientifically described?
The barreleye fish was first scientifically described in 1939. However, because the transparent dome on their head is easily destroyed when brought to the surface in deep-sea nets, scientists didn't get a clear picture of their living anatomy until much later.
Why do barreleye fish have green eyes?
The eyes of the barreleye fish contain a specific yellow pigment that acts as a filter, absorbing the faint blue light of the deep sea. This filtering allows them to spot the bioluminescent silhouettes of prey swimming above them.
Where does the barreleye fish live?
Barreleyes live in the bathypelagic zone, thriving in the near-total darkness of the ocean's deep sea. They are typically found at depths ranging from 600 to 800 meters (about 2,000 to 2,600 feet) below the surface.
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