Loosejaws [Malacosteus]

Description

The genus Malacosteus is part of the family Malacosteidae, known as loosejaws. These deep-sea fish are distinguished by their unique jaw mechanism that allows the lower jaw to drop down significantly further than in most other fish, aiding in the capture of prey in the dark depths of the ocean. Malacosteus species are notable for their ability to produce red bioluminescent light, a rarity in the deep sea where most bioluminescence is blue. This red light allows them to see and hunt prey that is invisible to most predators. They have large, tubular eyes optimized for spotting bioluminescence in the deep sea.

Species

Taxonomy