Dive 2: Should We Call It A Bottle Fish?
Date: November 1, 2018
Location: Lat: 18.16566°, Lon: -64.98816°
Access Dive Summary and ROV Data

Dive 2 of the Océanos Profundo 2018 expedition was another success. We dove in a location located to the east of Vieques Island and to the south of St. Thomas, at depths between 460-772 meters (~1,520-2,530 feet). The objective of the dive was to observe deepwater fishes and other marine life around an underwater mound, and we were able to capture some spectacular video footage of these organisms throughout the dive. We observed at least 16 different species of deepwater fishes, as well as several different species of deep-sea corals, sponges, and invertebrates. Additionally, the team was able to collect three biological specimens. Overnight mapping operations will focus on filling in gaps in existing seafloor mapping data to the east and south of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The fish in this video is the stripefin brotula, Neobythites marginatus. The species belongs to the brotula family Ophidiidae, commonly known as cusk eels, but they are neither true eels or cusks (relatives of codfish). Like many brotulas, the stripefin brotula has modified pelvic fins, which are the "barbels" mentioned in the video. Little is known about the biology of the stripefin brotula. They have been observed by submersibles diving into holes on the seafloor. Other Neobythites species seen during NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer expeditions in the Pacific were seen sheltering in crevices and under ledges.

The one seen in this video is unusual because it was using a glass bottle as shelter. We don't know why it chose that, but the beginning of the video shows that it may have been the only protective shelter for the brotula in the flat, sedimented area of the observation. In the low-light environment of the the site, the bottle may have provided protection as good as an opaque structure. The solid walls of the bottle may have felt like safe shelter to the fish. For more information, see this mission log.

Text contributed by Bruce Mundy, NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center.

Video courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Exploring Deep-sea Habitats off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Download larger version (mp4, 66.3 MB).

 

 

Location of Dive 1 on October 31, 2018.

Location of Dive 1 on October 31, 2018. Download larger version (jpg, 1.8 MB).

The remotely operated vehicle track for Dive 2, shown as a white line. Scale is water depth in meters.

The remotely operated vehicle track for Dive 2, shown as a white line. Scale is water depth in meters. Download larger version (jpg, 339 KB).