| The Abyss - Tube Eyes |
| Written by Jonathan C. Wojcik - Photo credits unknown or from public news articles unless otherwise noted. If you know their sources and need them credited or removed, please e-mail me. |
The peculiar "tube eye" or "threadtail," Stylephorus chordatus, is the only known member
of the Stylephorus genus, and one of my personal favorite fish. Its jaws are enclosed in a
membrane with only a tiny opening, creating a powerful suction when the jaws are
expanded. The whole structure is remarkably similar to a bellows, and can expand an
incredible 38 times its original volume. I have to wonder who thought it should be named just
for its eyes or tail. I nominate hooverface for a new common name.
The body of HOOVERFACE is less than a foot long, but the whiplike extension on its tail fin
more than triples its overall length.
of the Stylephorus genus, and one of my personal favorite fish. Its jaws are enclosed in a
membrane with only a tiny opening, creating a powerful suction when the jaws are
expanded. The whole structure is remarkably similar to a bellows, and can expand an
incredible 38 times its original volume. I have to wonder who thought it should be named just
for its eyes or tail. I nominate hooverface for a new common name.
The body of HOOVERFACE is less than a foot long, but the whiplike extension on its tail fin
more than triples its overall length.
| Illustration by Richard Ellis for his wonderful book, Deep Atlantic. |