Snothead from the depths of the Tasmanian Sea

An Australian-New Zealand team of scientists has made surprising discoveries. During this year's NORFANZ summer marine expedition, the scientists collected samples of over 15,000 animal species from unexplored depths. Among them were sea spiders whose internal organs were located in... legs, a shark with skin as sharp as sandpaper, and squid with eyes as large as dinner plates. "The preliminary report indicates that we have recovered specimens of over a hundred new species of fish and invertebrates, previously unknown to scientists," says Mark Norman, biologist and senior curator at the Victoria Museum, Australia's largest museum.

Some specimens photographed or caught at a depth of two kilometers are truly bizarre. Many look as unusual as their names, such as snotthead, fangtooth, and gulper eel. Scientists also spotted a fish that appeared to be walking along the seabed on fin-like legs. What makes it even more bizarre is its ability to swallow large quantities of water, which causes it to expand and resemble a giant ball.