Strange Creatures Of The Deep Captured By Photographer

Faline · #1 ● 10-05-2011, 06:23 PM

These creatures from the deep aren't going to win any beauty contests, but don't worry, they don't bite.
The bizarre-looking fish were snapped by photographer Norbert Wu, 50, who captured the images after the animals were caught in deep waters off locations including Hawaii and Mexico.
The animals were preserved in alcohol before Norbert took photographs of them.
Some of them live so far underwater, it takes days to lower a net to the right depth.
Norbert said: "Only recently has technology enabled man to catch first-hand glimpses of deep-sea life.
"The photographs seen here are a first look at a virtually undiscovered, untouched realm.
"I think they are weird and scary looking, bizarre and grotesque."

The images are being displayed at the University of California in San Diego.
Acids and dye are added to the creatures from the deep, to reveal their internal structure. Their bones are stained red, and cartilage blue.
Norbert added "The bizarre and grotesque form of deep-sea fish were once thought to be extremely primitive.
"However, the photographs of the cleared and stained specimens illustrate the fact these fish are highly advanced animals.
"They evolved the many features characteristic of deep-sea fishes - tubular eyes, needle-sharp teeth, and huge mouths."