Incredible Barreleye video

  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Category
    Science
  • Published
    13 February 2012
  • Read time
    2 minutes

This incredible footage of a live Barreleye was taken by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. It has been viewed on YouTube over 3 million times.

The Barreleye, Macropinna microstoma has a transparent head and tubular eyes (the green upwardly directed globes). It lives at depths down to 800 m. The footage was taken by an ROV (remotely operated vehicle).

Glasshead Barreleye, Rhynchohyalus natalensis
Glasshead Barreleye, Rhynchohyalus natalensis
Glasshead Barreleye, Rhynchohyalus natalensis

The species occurs in northern Pacific waters. About 11 species of barreleyes (family Opisthoproctidae) occur worldwide, with three species currently known from Australian waters;

  • Grimaldi's Barreleye, Opisthoproctus grimaldii
  • Glasshead Barreleye, Rhynchohyalus natalensis
  • Binocular Fish, Winteria telescopa.

Additional reading:

  1. View the Fishbase page for more information on Macropinna microstoma.
  2. View still images of Macropinna microstoma on the MBARI website.