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What is a hatchetfish?

Quick Answer

A hatchetfish is a deep-sea fish with a deep, blade-like body shaped like a hatchet. Some species can use silvery sides to reflect faint light and blend in above them.

The Full Story

Hatchetfish are small deep-sea fishes in the family Sternoptychidae, named for their compressed body shape. Their silver bodies can act like mirrors, reflecting dim light from above and helping them disappear in open water. Many species live in the mesopelagic zone, where sunlight is weak but still present. Some also perform nightly vertical migrations, rising closer to the surface after dark to feed.

Key Facts

1.Belong to the family Sternoptychidae
2.Live mainly in the mesopelagic zone
3.Their silver bodies aid camouflage

YouTube Angle

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"The fish shaped like a tiny underwater hatchet"

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