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July 19, 2021: Velvet Whalefish

While exploring an unnamed seamount within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as part of the Discovering the Deep: Exploring Remote Pacific Marine Protected Areas expedition, we observed this velvet whalefish covered with gnathiid isopod parasites at approximately 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) depth.

Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Discovering the Deep: Exploring Remote Pacific MPAs. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).

While exploring an unnamed seamount within the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as part of the Discovering the Deep: Exploring Remote Pacific Marine Protected Areas expedition, we observed this velvet whalefish covered with gnathiid isopod parasites at approximately 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) depth. The fish belongs to the species Barbourisia rufa, rufa for red. These fish are bathypelagic and may be benthopelagic, hovering above the bottom. Watch a video of the fish.