Wednesday 26 March 2014

Eye boggling! Scientists find new four-eyed fish species in waters off Australia

IT LOOKS like an alien, but this newly discovered four-eyed fish is baffling scientists after being found in waters off Australia.

Eye boggling: Four-eyed fish foundWith its 360 degree vision, the glasshead barreleye has evolved with extra eyes to help detect prey, potential mates and predators.

It was found by excited researchers at the University of Tubingen’s Institute of Anatomy in Germany in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Also known as Rhynchohyalus natalensis, it lives at depths of between 2,600ft (800 metres) and 3,300ft (1,000 metres).

It has two primary cylindrical eyes pointing upwards so it can see prey or predators silhouetted against the gloomy light above as well as a second set of silvery ones on the side its head.

It’s said the fish can grow up to a length of 16cm, although you wouldn’t want to come face-to-face with it.

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