Have you heard of a fish that has a comical name? A fish that lives in the darkest and deepest parts of the ocean, where it faces many threats and mysteries? If not, then let me introduce you to the bony-eared assfish.
Not only their name, but their features are also distinctive. The bony-eared assfish exemplifies how efficiently evolution operates in the vast and mysterious deep-sea environment.
In this blog post, you will learn about the bony-eared Assfish, one of the most bizarre and intriguing fishes in the world.
Bony-eared Assfish: Wiki
| Scientific name | Acanthonus armatus |
| Location | Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans |
| Size | 37.5 cm |
| Diet | Carnivorous (eat small crustaceans and other tiny deep-sea organisms) |
| Habitat | Aphotic zone of Ocean |
| Predators | Sharks, rays, anglerfishes, grenadiers, and squid |
| Colors | Pale brown and its small head is disproportionate to its body |
Bony-eared Assfish’s appearance
The appearance of bony-eared assfish is particularly due to their adaptation to high-pressure, low-light, and food-scarce environments. They are soft, flabby, and have a small head that is disproportionate to their body.
They can attain a length of 37.5 cm. Their pale brown color helps them hide in deep-sea environments. They also have a photophore near their eye that is probably lit to attract prey and mates.
The most interesting thing about these fishes is their brain size. The fish has the smallest known brain-to-body weight ratio of any vertebrate. Some studies suggest that it evolved in this way because its lifestyle doesn’t require much intelligence for survival.
Bony-eared Assfish: Habitat and Geolocation
Bony-eared Assfish is a bathypelagic species of cusk-eel, which means it lives in the aphotic zone of the ocean, between depths of 1,145 and 4,415 meters (3,756 and 14,485 ft).
These fish are commonly found in the depths of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. There is not much information available about the habitat of these fish.
So by assuming that they are bathypelagic, they must feed on small crustaceans and other tiny deep-sea organisms. It prefers areas with soft sediments, such as mud or sand, where it can hide or burrow.
Bony-eared Assfish: Conservation status
According to the IUCN, this species is classified as least concern. They are widely distributed in the tropics and subtropical oceans and are not affected by fisheries or human activities.
It may be occasionally caught as a bycatch, but this is not likely to have a significant impact on its population. So that is why they are the most stable and resilient species in the deep sea.
Conclusion
The bony-eared assfish is not the most exquisite fish, yet it is one to be revered. It has managed to survive in the conditions of the ocean for millions of years, making it stand out from the crowd.
This species is incredibly resilient and adaptable evolving in ways that enhance its chances of survival and reproduction. Remember the bony-eared assfish and its remarkable narrative the next time you think about deep sea wonders.
I hope you found this information interesting. We will return soon.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bony-eared_assfish
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/160312-animals-assfish-weird-names-science-oceans
- https://pacificklaus.com/fish-of-the-month-bony-eared-assfish/
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Being a zoology student I’m always been fascinated toward animals especially insects. I love to do research and learn about different animals. As a writer I want to share my thoughts about nature through my articles. Apart from this you can find me exploring the new places and voice notes.