Meet The Adorable Bumpy Snailfish, Recently Discovered Deep in the Ocean

Generally, the sea creatures living at the bottom of the ocean can look quite spooky.

Even when they’re more strange and hilarious than creepy, they aren’t exactly stuffed animal material.

That’s why the public has gotten such a thrill out of meeting the Bumpy Snailfish, a species recently discovered in the cold depths of California’s Monterey Canyon, some 3,268 meters (10,722 feet) deep.

Underwater photo of a fish with prominent facial features and fins, swimming in a dark ocean environment.

Using its advanced underwater technology, MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) has helped identify three new species of abyssal snailfish off the California coast.

The most photogenic of these is the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), observed by the ROV Doc Ricketts.

A bumpy snailfish swimming in the deep ocean, showcasing its unique features and texture against a dark background. — Image via MBARI

The specimen was an adult female about 9.2 cm long. Using video, CT scans, genetic sequencing, and morphology, researchers distinguished these fishes from other known snailfish.

Indeed, the fish almost seems to smile for the camera, as it’s swimming along.