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‘Creatures from the abyss’: The mysterious new species found in Australian waters

A series of mysterious new fish species have been discovered in the depths of Australia’s eastern abyss.

Delving nearly 5000 metres into Australian waters, the Investigator research vessel collected more than 100 different fish species, including five that have never been discovered before.

Scientists from around the country have now gathered at the Australian National Fish Collection in Hobart to try and put names to their admittedly strange faces.

Among the haul was the rediscovery of the “faceless fish” – a deep sea fish with no visible eyes and a mouth on the underside of its head.

Samples were taken from nearly five kilometres deep into Australia's eastern abyss. Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Samples were taken from nearly five kilometres deep into Australia's eastern abyss. Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility

The deep sea voyage also discovered at least three new, gelatinous cusk eels, blob fishes, bioluminescent cookie-cutter sharks and a haul of frightening lizard fish.

The blob fish is the cousin of Mr Blobby, who was voted World's Ugliest Fish in 2013.

"We are investigating possible new species and fishes never before recorded in Australian waters," CSIRO ichthyologist John Pogonoski said.

"It is breaking new ground, it is frontier science," he said.

Source: CSIRO/Asher Flatt and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Asher Flatt and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility
Source: CSIRO/Museums Victoria and Marine National Facility

Museums Victoria ichthyologist Martin Gomon said the discovery will add another piece to the puzzle in understanding deep sea creatures.

"Very little is known about many of the areas in those [abyssal] waters,” he said..

"I have little doubt that there are many species out there we haven't seen yet."

It is anticipated that new discoveries will continue to be made from collected samples for decades to come.