Off the coast of California, lurks one of the most spectacular species of fish in the ocean, the Barrel-eyed Fish.
The Barrel-eyed fish feeds on jellyfish and other small fish. The remarkable thing about this fish is that its head is completely clear, transparent as glass. The Barrel-eyed fish has specialized eyes that can rotate 165°, allowing him to even look back into his own body. These tube-like eyes act as binoculars to allow him to see long distances through the dark water. The eyes are tinted green in order to filter and remove the sun’s rays from the surface. This allows him to see bioluminescent prey such as the jellyfish that swim above. In addition to eating smaller jellyfish, scientists believe that the Barrel-eyed steals food from other siphonophores (which are certain types of elongated jellyfish). The Barrel-eyed fish does this by snatching food from within the tentacles of the siphonophores. You might wonder, how does the Barrel-eyed fish steal food without being stung? He has two special defenses. First, are the thick protective scales, and second, his canopy-like head protects his eyes from the stinging tentacles of the siphonophores.
Even though this magnificent creature is only 15 inches long, if I were a jellyfish I would stay away.
