Pacific Barreleye fish

[shanmonster]

The Pacific Barreleye fish has a transparent head. Not much is known about the fish, although other varieties of Barreleyes are known to eat jellyfish. According to Answers.com, "Each stalked eye in the closely related brownsnout spookfish (Dolichopteryx longipes) has two retinas, one directly below the lens, the other to the side of the lens. The first retina contains a golden to silvery pigment that ensures any light is reflected backward and forward, passing through photoreceptors several times before its energy is expended, and thus maximizing the efficiency of the eye. The second retina, although not as efficient, permits the barreleye to distinguish the movement of brightly lit objects, and thus see prey from below. Due to the excellent binocular vision provided by these tubular eyes, the barreleye can determine position precisely, and can also see predators that may be approaching from its side. Such optic specializations thus aid in both feeding and predator avoidance."

These guys apparently have transparent heads so that their stalked eyes have a better view. Imagine seeing through your own head. Whoa.

Barreleyes are also known as spookfish. I'd be spooked, too, if I could suddenly see through my own head.

More pictures to be found Green Upgrader and at the National Geographic site.

Comments

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

That is so ridiculously cool.

[dark-phoenix54.livejournal.com]

Weirdest. Thing. Ever.

It looks like he's got leaves in his head, like he's using the transparent head as a terrarium.

[zombienought.livejournal.com]

That is really freaky!

bare a life-ish

[crooksandlucy.livejournal.com]

"Each staked I in the close. Leery, a tad brown now, t'spook fish."

Babelfish

[(Anonymous)]

Could this be Earth's Babel Fish?

According to the Hitchhiker's Guide, the Babel fish often seen as a final proof for the non-existence of God:

"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

"But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves that you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't.

"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic."


Could an animal with such a clever design as the barreleye fish be final proof of the no-existence of God?

[advancedentropy.livejournal.com]

That is so creepy, and weird, and very very cool. Heebee and Jeebee too.
^_^ Imagine snorkling and having something like that bump up against your mask? :o