#unicorn crestfish

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #693

Unicorn crestfish!

To defend itself against predators, this fish can release black fluid from an ink sac via the cloaca, akin to an octopus! Very little is known about this mysterious fish due to it living so deep.

[raventroll80]

Okay we all know about oarfish, but have any of you seen a unicorn crestfish?

Like, look at this guy! Why’s your head like that buddy? It’s like the oarfish’s weird cousin.

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Unicorn Crestfish (Eumecichthys fiski)

Also known as the unicornfish, the unicorn crestfish is a rare species of crestfish that likely has a worldwide distribution but has only been seen offshore of Kalk Bay in South Africa. They have also been reported in the Sea of Japan, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico and India.

Unicornfish inhabit the bathypelagic zone and are typically seen at depths of around 3,000 ft. Like a couple other lampriform genera members of Eumecichthys possess an ink tube which allows them expel a black fluid from their cloaca in defense. Unicorn crestfish are very rare and much is still unknown about their biology and ecology.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Chordata-Actinopterygii-Lampriformes-Lophotidae-Eumecichthys-E.fiski

Image(s): Eric Woroch