In an abyssal zone off the central coast of California, a team of MBARI has described three new species of snailfish in the surroundings of Monterey CanyonThe confirmation comes after a campaign to 3.268 depth meters and several years of analysis that have made it possible to differentiate these fish from any previous record.
The key to progress has been the combination of underwater robotic technology and state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. With the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts, operated from the ship western-flyer, scientists recorded images and collected data that were later compared using microscopy, micro-CT tomography and DNA sequencing.
A discovery that began in 2019: patience, method, and a good eye
The first clue appeared in 2019, when the ROV cameras captured a peculiar pink snailfish moving near the bottom. The specimen, a adult female 9,2 cm, was subsequently studied in detail to verify whether it matched any known species.
In the laboratory, the team applied a battery of complementary techniques: microscopy to examine fine tissues, computed microtomography to reconstruct its internal anatomy and genetic analysis to contrast their relationship. The convergence of results supported that it was an undescribed species.
The authors have published the formal description in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology (available through BioOne), which details the set of evidence that supports the status of three species new to science observed in the depths of the Canyon.
What is known about the three identified species
Each one presents morphological and behavioral traits consistent with a high-pressure, light-deprived habitat. These are its most recognizable features, as described in the scientific paper:
- Rough (pink) snailfish — described in the article as Careproctus colliculi: rounded head, large eyes, wide pectoral fins and a rough skin texture which inspires its common name.
- Dusky snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi) — body completely black, horizontal mouth and rounded head; adapted to environments without light.
- Smooth snailfish (Paraliparis em) — silhouette elongated and compressed sideways, without suction disc and angular jaw, of uniform black coloration.
The Liparidae family: specialists in the great depths
The snailfish they belong to the family Liparidae, a group of cold water fish more than 400 described species that range from shallow pools to oceanic trenches. Together, they hold the depth record documented for fish, with sightings below 8.300 meters.
Their anatomy usually includes gelatinous bodies, big heads y narrow tails; in addition, many species present a abdominal suction disc which makes it easier for them to adhere to substrates or even deep-sea invertebrates, such as crabs.
Scientific relevance and collaboration to explore the abyss
The finding reinforces the idea that abyssal ecosystems they still are little explored and which still harbor an underestimated biodiversity. Each new species helps us better understand the evolutionary adaptations necessary to survive under high pressure, extreme cold and permanent darkness.
La underwater robotics —such as the ROV Doc Ricketts—has established itself as a key tool for investigating inaccessible areas and recording behavior in the natural environment. These methods, combined with the genetics and 3d image, provide a solid framework for delimiting species and their relationship to habitat.
The study also highlights the importance of cooperation between institutions. Teams from MBARI, SUNY Geneseo, University of Montana and University of Hawaii at Mānoa, among others, with the support of entities such as the National Science Foundation from the USA and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
Beyond the taxonomic novelty, these advances provide critical information for evaluating emerging threats in the deep marine environment —from the climate change to deep sea mining— and to guide evidence-based conservation strategies.
This work, driven by years of follow-up in Monterey Canyon and by a rigorous methodology, highlights how science reveals, step by step, unknown life forms and the role they play in the workings of the most remote ocean ecosystems.
