New Marine Species, Dragonfish Eats Lanternfish

An anonymous reader writes "A new species of dragonfish has been discovered which adds to the Earth's biological census of around 28,000 distinct vertebrates. Found by Dr. Tracey Sutton, a fish ecologist at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Ft. Pierce, Fla, the dragonfish's home is the Bear Seamount region off New England-- surprisingly one of the most thoroughly studied marine regions on the planet since it is nearby Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. This rare fish apparently escaped previous discovery because it has some survival disadvantages: it is the size of a hotdog, eats lanternfish using a fleshy lure like a fishing pole, and individualizes that same predatory lure to catch its mate. What apparently the dragonfish has to improve its survival chances are a camouflaging glow (bioluminescence) when seen by lanternfish from below against the sun's glare-- and real big teeth."

Survival disadvantages?

[Anonymous Coward]

Being hotdog-sized has done wonders for hotdogs. Everywhere I look I see many wieners of all varieties. Although what evolutionary pressure leads to the divergence between the number of hotdogs and buns alludes me.

SEXUAL VAMPIRE FISH

[c.emmertfoster]

Bah. The new sexual vampire fish [capetimes.co.za] are way cooler.

Disadvantages?

[jmpoast]

"...it has some survival disadvantages: it is the size of a hotdog, eats lanternfish using a fleshy lure like a fishing pole..."

I don't see how you conclude these are disadvantages. I actually think the 'fleshy lure like fishing pole' is a quite interesting adaptation to help them survive and catch prey.

I also find it interesting that a great deal of 'alien' creatures used in books/movies are no more (and often far less) interesting than some of the bizare creatures you can find on Earth.

No reports.

[minusthink]

Still no reports on what the sawfish [sourceforge.net] eats.

Re:No reports.

[MikeDawg]

How about this Sawfish [slashdot.org]?

Finding Nemo

[Midnight Warrior]

Somebody forgot to watch the deep dark water scene in finding Nemo. Just ask any clown fish. They've seen these...

Re:Finding Nemo

[bobbozzo]

I believe the fish in Nemo was an AnglerFish.
Similar looking, but they have their "lamp" above their heads.

There's a nice painting of one here [artlebedev.com]. More resolutions here [artlebedev.com].

Sounds fishy

[kff322]

Hmmm.... Sounds like some scientist just wanted to become popular. Sounds like a spoof to me, smilar to the "Franken-Fish" thing I saw in my Sunday newspaper last year" If any of you have heard about that.. Keith

Wallet angler!

[shiwala]

I wonder if this fish is related to the wallet angler [thetick.ws]?!

So, brave lanternfish...

[Zathras26]

...if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come nae further! For death awaits you all, with nasty, big, pointy teeth!

Dragonfish Eats Lanternfish - New Rules

[Embedded Geek]

That means the new rules are:

• Dragonfish Eats Lanternfish
• Lanternfish Eats Plankton
• Plankton Eats Paper
• Paper Wraps Rock
• Rock Smashes Dragonfish

Just thought everyone whould know. That is all.

Re:Dragonfish Eats Lanternfish - New Rules

[no reason to be here]

Seinfeld -

KRAMER & MICKEY: Rock, paper, scissors match.
MICKEY: all right, rock beats paper.
(Mickey smacks Kramer on the hand for losing)
KRAMER: I thought paper covered rock?
MICKEY: Nah, rock flies right through paper.
KRAMER: What beats rock?
MICKEY: (looks at his hand) Nothing beats rock.

Obligatory Simpsons Reference -

Lisa:(thinking) "Poor, predictable Bart . . . always picks Rock"
Bart:(thinking) "Good old Rock . . . nothing beats Rock.
Both: Rock-paper

Re:Dragonfish Eats Lanternfish - New Rules

[gary chund]

What about good old RPSSL (rock, paper, scissors, spock, lizard). http://www.samkass.com/theories/RPSSL.html have yet to find a partner to play it with :-(

Greetings Grashoppa!

[Bohemoth2]

How many Lanternfish have you caught today?