A Surprising Discovery at the Bottom of the Sea
When we think of deep-sea fish, we usually imagine scary creatures with sharp teeth and a threatening appearance. However, in 2019, researchers discovered a new species of snailfish in the Monterey Canyon, California, that caught attention not for terror, but for its cuteness.
Known as the Bumpy Snailfish, and nicknamed the bubblegum pink fish, it was collected at 3,265 meters deep (10,722 feet) by a remotely operated vehicle. According to biologist Mackenzie Gerringer from the State University of New York, it is “very adorable.”
The New Species Revealed
Besides the pink fish, later that same year, on May 3, 2019, dives with the human-piloted submersible Alvin discovered two other previously unknown snailfish species at about 4,000 meters deep (13,123 feet):
- Careproctus yanceyi, known as the dark snailfish, with a black-ashy color.
- Paraliparis em, called the elegant snailfish, dark-toned, slender, and without a suction disk.
These discoveries were compiled in a scientific publication on August 27, 2025, in the journal Ichthyology & Herpetology.
The “Cutest” Fish of the Deep
The standout fish is Careproctus colliculi, classified as an Irregular Snailfish due to the bumps on its gelatinous skin. This remarkable specimen is distinguished by its pink color, blue eyes, and appendages resembling small whiskers.
Additionally, it has a suction disk on its belly, an essential feature it uses to attach to rocks on the seafloor and, surprisingly, even to other animals like deep-sea crabs, essentially to “hitch a ride.”
This disk is one of the adaptations that allow snailfish to survive crushing pressures. An adult female collected measured only 9.2 centimeters, proving that size does not equate to resilience.
Where Do Snailfish Live?
Snailfish belong to the Liparidae family and now include over 450 described species. They can be found in all the world’s oceans, from shallow tide pools to the deepest trenches on Earth.
In general, snailfish have large heads, gelatinous bodies reminiscent of tadpoles, and in many species, a suction disk on the belly, in addition to translucent flesh.
The depth record belongs to the Mariana Trench Snailfish, found at over 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) — the fish that inhabits the deepest point ever recorded.
Expert Opinions
According to Gerringer, “the seafloor hosts an incredible diversity of organisms and a truly beautiful range of adaptations.” She emphasizes that discovering new species shows how much we still have to learn about life on Earth.
These animals, often seen as strange or insignificant, are examples for researchers of adaptation and resilience. Even with a soft body and fragile appearance, they survive where almost no other life forms can.
A Reminder of How Much We Still Don’t Know
Discoveries made with the help of vehicles like Doc Ricketts and the human-piloted submersible Alvin reinforce that the deep ocean is the planet’s largest and least explored habitat.
With each dive, science uncovers new secrets. Whether a cute pink fish or an elegant dark one, snailfish remind us that we are only scratching the surface of everything that exists in the darkness of the ocean abyss.