Hatchetfish
About the Hatchetfish
Masters of camouflage in the deep ocean. Their flattened bodies are silvery on the sides to reflect the faint light, making them nearly invisible from the side. Their bellies are covered in photophores that match the light from above, eliminating their silhouette - counterillumination. Their eyes are pointed upward to detect prey silhouettes against the faint light above. Their body shape gives them their name. Over 40 species exist. They are found worldwide. They are among the most common deep-sea fish. They perform daily vertical migrations of hundreds of meters.
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