More Strange Marine Life Found in Hawaii

Researchers from Hawaii Pacific University of Hawaii at Manoa were surprised to find a rich marine habitat on the steep canyons found northwest of the Hawaiian islands. After 36 dives, they found 41 species unique to the canyon habitats. The Sladinia remiger shown was seen in the Oahu Canyon. The researchers had expected to find less because 'tropical islands and atolls transport less nutrient-rich sediment from land into the ocean to feed deep-sea organisms.' Fortunately they were wrong and we get to enjoy these pics and the fact that there is still a lot to discover and learn from underwater.


A Sladinia remiger from Oahu Canyon - Credit: ERIC VETTER, CRAIG SMITH AND HAWAII UNDERSEA RESEARCH LABORATORY


"Perhaps the biggest surprise of this study was the large number of species -- 41 -- that we found only in canyon habitats," Smith said in an announcement of the discovery. "This suggests that canyons support a substantial specialized fauna that would not (otherwise) exist in the Hawaiian archipelago."

UH-Manoa doctoral candidate Fabio De Leo, who also took part in the research, said the canyons are ideal candidates for protection from commercial fishing because they can provide a critical habitat for bottom fish and shellfish.


Source:
Creatures lurking under the sea - Hawaii News - Starbulletin.com

 

Wow, amazing! Thanks for posting Matt!

 

That's one weird looking fish

 

lol The fish you post get weirder by the day! Thanks for sharing.

 

holy cow, that fish looks like it has a pelvis, leg, joint, and foot if you really look at it.. Crazy

 

I want one in my tank Pronto;D

 

crazy

 

hrmm i want that fish in my predator tank

 

That fish has got legs!! Very cool, thanks Matt!

 

Very cool looking!