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Owlfish

Bathylagidae

Deep sea Owlfish specimen

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Abyssal Stats

Depth

200–2,000 m (650–6,500 ft)

Size

Up to 25 cm (10 in)

Habitat

Midwater

Diet

Plankton and small crustaceans

What they'd be sayin'

"I am named for my large, owl-like eyes that help me see in the dim deep-sea light."

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Deep Sea Profile

Deep-sea smelts noted for their oversized eyes and delicate, silvery bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why the large eyes?

Their eyes are designed to maximize the capture of minimal ambient light in the mesopelagic zone.

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