Trachipterus sp.
Video is a powerful tool for studying the ocean. Cameras on MBARI’s advanced underwater robots help our scientists discover remarkable new species, describe communities, and assess ocean health. We’ve amassed a unique archive of deep-sea video that’s essential for research groups across MBARI and beyond. Our Video Lab Team combs through thousands of hours of footage to identify and label animals and objects we film.
These sightings are all of fish in the genus Trachipterus—members of the ribbonfish group, aptly named for their thin, ribbon-like bodies. As these fish mature, they change dramatically from dark red to shiny silver, and their frilled caudal and pelvic fins are greatly reduced. Because adult ribbonfishes spend most of their time in the ocean's dark depths—generally around 900 meters, or nearly 3,000 feet below the surface—sightings of this regal resident of the deep are uncommon.
From our first sighting of Trachipterus in 1991 to our most recent in 2021, these rare encounters highlight the value of long-term deep-sea exploration.
