#snailfishes

[fieriframes]

[Snailfishes.]

[briery]

Blotched snailfish (Crystallichthys cyclospilus) by Sarah Friedman.

[fabgob-blog]

Deepest fish ever recorded, the snailfish. Had to draw it!

The deepest-ever fish has been caught on camera off Japan

Researchers using an autonomous deep-ocean vessel recorded the unknown snailfish species at a bone-crushing depth of 27,349 feet.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Swimming with the Mariana Snailfishes

The Mariana Snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei) Is one of the deepest-living fishes in the world. It is native to the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean, and is found at depths of 6,000 to 8,000 meters. At that point, the pressure is almost 600 atm, or the equivalent of 1,600 elephants per square inch. Beyond this point, certain proteins begin to break down and bones can be crushed. However, the Mariana Snailfish has several adaptations that allow it to survive, and even thrive, at such pressures.

For starters, P. swirei’s skeleton is not completely ossified. This means that their bones are not fully calcified, but consist mainly of cartilage, which gives snailfishes some flexibility. There are also gaps in its skull to stabilize the pressure. Furthermore, to prevent proteins in its body from breaking down, the Mariana Snailfish has a special chemical called trimethylamine N-oxide which stabilizes proteins. Most animals have one gene to produce this compound; Mariana Snailfishes have five genes. Because of this, they can also produce larger amounts of proteins to counteract the effect of pressure on the ability to move chemicals from one cell to another. Finally, like many other deep-sea organisms, these fishes lack functioning eyes and almost completely lack pigment.

Although it’s small, at anywhere from 6 inches to just under a foot, the Mariana Snailfish is also the top predator of the Mariana Trench. They feed primarily on crustaceans and arthropods along the ocean floor, although they are also known to consume carrion or small fish when given the opportunity. Their eggs are similarly proportioned, with diameters of up to a third of an inch, in large clutches of almost 900. Out of all of these, only a handful are typically mature, and it is unknown if Mariana Snailfish provide parental care or what juvenile growth is like. In fact, very little else is known about the Mariana Snailfish, due to its size and the extreme inaccessibility to its habitat.

Conservation Status: Unrated by the ICUN, due to lack of data. It is unlikely that the Mariana Snailfish is threatened.

[snailfishes]

Oh, tonight hurt. Chadwick Boseman, the actor who played King T’Challa and wore the mantle of Black Panther, passed away this evening. To work through my love and grief for the massive loss suffered by the entire MCU, the movie, the character, and the actor, I put this pattern together while watching Black Panther for anyone who might want to stitch while they process their own feelings.

I’m a huge fan of the MCU, and Black Panther is one of the movies I’ve watched most often. My dad passed away in 2019 and I went home for his funeral, and sat in a hotel room alone watching King T’Challa grieve King T’Chaka and grapple with his mistakes and imperfections. Chadwick Boseman was a calm, unassuming, and humble soul. He worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for as many children as he could reach. If you’re in a position to, consider donating in Chadwick Boseman’s honor to a charity that directly impacts black children either locally or in areas where it’s most needed. ChairtyNavigator.org has done the work for us and divides the categories by History and Culture, Health, Civil Rights, Education and Training, and Community Development.

“Now more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth. More connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” - King T’Challa

Wakanda Forever 🖤

[snailfishes]

Trying to get the hang of using WinStitch, so here’s a free little hermit crab pattern! 

[snailfishes]

Progress! Only 6 colors left.

[snailfishes]

Two unexpected guests will be arriving tomorrow! If you’ve already purchased the 32 cat set from our shop, we’re happy to offer you these two patterns at no additional cost!