There are over 32,000 fish species living in Earth's oceans, including those familiar to us, and those not commonly seen. However, there could be more undiscovered fish species in the deep sea with bizarre appearances, like the one a Russian fisherman recently caught 3,600 feet (1,100 meters) below the ocean surface.
The terrifying sea creature pulled from the deep sea has bulging eyes with yellow iris and gums hanging from its mouth. Some claimed that it looked like it came from hell, Daily Star reported.
Killer Whales (orcas) follow a trawler in the fjord of Skjervoy, northern Norway, on November 22, 2021.
Another Bizarre Fish Caught From the Deep Sea
Roman Fedortsov, a 39-year-old fisherman and photographer, have been sharing photos of the weird and terrifying sea creatures he encounters while fishing deep in the Norwegian and Barents Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and the Greenland Sea on Instagram. He sources cod, haddock, and mackerel on commercial trawlers and even fish as deep as 3,000 feet below the surface.
Earlier this week, he shared a photo of a bizarre fish that no one in the comment section has identified. The fish's bulging eyes with yellow iris, bulbous tongue and gums hanging from its mouth have left Fedorstov's 650,000 followers in awe.
One even asked about the legitimacy of the sea creature and was concerned whether it was a rare fish species or just a sea creature with rare abnormalities due to pollution. Most people in the comment section found the sea creature "terrifying." Some even likened it to creatures from hell.
One netizen noted that the fish could be suffering from barotrauma. According to one netizen named kristinopolis, the fish caught was born into a high-pressure environment. So, when it was brought up, its organs expanded.
ALSO READ: Bizarre Dragon-Like Fish Pulled From the Depths of the Norwegian Sea Identified
What Is Barotrauma
Many fish species are left undiscovered because they live thousands of meters deep from the surface. When a fish is brought up from deep water, the rapid change in pressure causes the gases in its body to expand and it may result in injuries, which can be fatal to the fish. The condition is called barotrauma, according to Northern Territory Government.
The common signs of barotrauma include stomach being pushed out through its mouth, bulging eyes, a bloated stomach and protruding intestines. Bubbling scales and distended intestines are other physical signs, UF/IFAS added.
Most, if not all of the said signs are present in the sea creature in the photo. So, there is no doubt that it was caught in the deep ocean.
Even fish that do not show visible signs of barotrauma may have suffered fatal internal injuries such as ruptured swim bladder, damaged organs, internal bleeding and blood clotting.
It is evident that the fish suffered from barotrauma. However, it remains unknown what type of fish species it is.
To avoid this, NT suggested not to target reef fish for catch and release when fishing in a depth of 10 meters or more.
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