Video shows deep-sea fish with blood-sucking parasite ‘pigtails’
Deep-sea creatures are often shrouded in mystery, and a recent discovery has left scientists and the public alike in awe. A video captured by the Schmidt Ocean Institute has gone viral, showcasing a deep-sea rattail fish with two blood-sucking parasites attached to its head, giving it a peculiar “pigtails” appearance.
The copepods, a type of crustacean, are usually found in the ocean’s surface waters, feeding on plankton and small fish. However, these particular copepods have adapted to life in the deep sea, where they’ve developed a unique relationship with the deep-sea rattail fish.
The video, shared by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, shows the fish swimming in the darkness of the deep sea, with the two copepods attached to its head. The parasites’ long egg sacs, which are attached to their backs, give the fish a rather unusual hairstyle, reminiscent of pigtails.
But what’s even more fascinating is the way these parasites feed on the fish’s blood and fluids. As a scientist from the institute explained, “They feed on blood and fluids from their host.” This parasitic relationship is a common occurrence in the animal kingdom, where one species benefits from the other’s existence.
The Schmidt Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring and understanding the world’s oceans. Their research vessel, the Falkor, has been instrumental in uncovering the secrets of the deep sea, and their latest discovery has sparked widespread interest.
The video has been viewed millions of times, and it’s easy to see why. The sight of a deep-sea fish with “pigtails” is undeniably bizarre, and it’s a reminder of the incredible diversity of life on our planet.
But beyond the novelty of the “pigtails” themselves, this discovery highlights the importance of continued research into the deep sea. The oceans cover over 70% of our planet, and yet we’ve only scratched the surface of what lies beneath.
The deep sea is a largely unexplored region, with many species remaining unknown to science. The discovery of these blood-sucking parasites on the deep-sea rattail fish is a reminder that there’s still so much to learn about the world around us.
As scientists continue to explore the deep sea, they’re uncovering new and fascinating creatures, like this peculiar fish with its “pigtails”. And who knows what other secrets the ocean has in store for us?
