Arbiter snailfish
Careproctus kamikawai
- Not on exhibit
- Animal type
- Fishes
- Ecosystem
- Deep sea
- Relatives
- Other snailfishes; Family: Liparidae
- Diet
- Invertebrates
- Range
- From 2,700 to 8,900 ft. (830–2,700 m) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean
- Size
- 7 inches (18 cm) total length
Meet the arbiter snailfish
It’s stick or swim for this fish. Swift currents sweep along the seafloor. A snailfish swims against these currents and hovers above the seafloor while searching for snacks. To rest, it holds on tight to rocks with the suction-cup fins on its belly.
Cool facts
- Sometimes one deep-sea animal is home to another. You might find a small snailfish peeking out from a giant yellow sponge. This deep-sea fish takes refuge inside the sponge. It tucks in to stay out of reach of hungry predators.
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