Pseudoliparis swirei

Description

Pseudoliparis swirei, the Mariana snailfish, is a species of snailfish found at hadal depths in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. The Liparidae (snailfishes, Scorpaeniformes) are the most geographically widespread family of marine fish organisms, with more than four hundred species covering thirty genera habituating in environments ranging from temperate waters to depths of 8000 meters, where the water reaches extremely low temperatures. It is known from a depth range of 6,198–8,076 m (20,335–26,496 ft), including a capture at 7,966 m (26,135 ft), which possibly is the record for a fish caught on the seafloor. This pale, tadpole-like fish reaches up to 28.8 cm (11.3 in) in standard length and 160 g (0.35 lb) in weight. It is apparently the top predator along certain stretches of the Mariana Trench, it feeding on tiny crustaceans in a deep-water habitat with few larger predators. Pseudoliparis swirei are abundant in their deep-sea habitat and lay relatively large eggs that are almost 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter.