Mysterious deep-sea faceless fish found in South Pacific leaves scientists astonished

Faceless Cusk Eel Spotted in South Pacific Leaves Scientists Astonished (Image: EVNautilus/Youtube)

The deep ocean has yielded yet another of its ghostly secrets. Scientists at sea have taken rare video footage of a faceless cusk eel gliding silently across the seafloor, leaving scientists themselves both baffled and intrigued by its ghostly appearance.

Where was the faceless fish spotted?

The find was reported by the team on E/V Nautilus, who are investigating the deep sea off the coast of the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. As the remotely operated vehicle descended into the dark depths, a bizarre, featureless mass appeared on the screen. The fish had no apparent eyes, nose, or mouth and looked like a pale ghost in the darkness.

Experts believe the creature is a faceless cusk eel (Typhlonus nasus), a rare deep-sea species that lives more than 5,000 metres below the surface. The BBC reported that the eel’s odd appearance left researchers stunned. “Everyone was amazed,” one scientist said. “We thought we had found a completely new species.”

Why does it have no face?
The most striking trait of this fish is the absence of visible eyes. Living in total darkness, the faceless cusk eel has evolved to survive without sight. Juveniles still possess tiny eyes buried under their skin, a sign that their ancient ancestors once relied on vision. Over millions of years, the species adapted to the lightless abyss, losing features that no longer served a purpose.

Dr Tim O’Hara, an expedition leader, explained that its mouth sits beneath the head, hidden from side view. “When you look at it side-on, you can’t see any eyes or nose. It looks like two rear-ends on a fish, really,” he said. This anatomy helps the eel move close to the seafloor while feeding on small organisms and organic debris.

How was the species rediscovered?
The faceless cusk eel had vanished from scientific records for over a century before its rediscovery in 2017. Scientists aboard Australia’s CSIRO research vessel RV Investigator initially believed they had uncovered an entirely new species. “We even came up with possible new names,” one researcher said. “It’s not a new species, but it’s still incredibly exciting.”

The rediscovery confirmed that the species first documented in 1873 was still alive, dwelling in one of Earth’s most remote environments. The team also noted that their specimen appeared larger than any previously recorded.

What does the find reveal about deep-sea life?
Alongside the faceless eel, researchers found shells, sea urchins, and belemnites in the same region. These fossils show that the area once hosted shallow seas similar to today’s Bahamas or Florida Keys.

Marine biologists say such discoveries help map the biodiversity of the ocean’s deepest layers. “Scientists expect to find a range of animals, including new species of fish, starfish, molluscs, and sea spiders,” Dr O’Hara noted. Each expedition, he said, brings new clues about how life adapts to crushing pressure and eternal darkness.

What lies ahead for ocean explorers?
The E/V Nautilus mission will continue surveying the Cook Islands’ deep waters until October 21. Scientists hope to discover more bizarre creatures and increase understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.

The faceless cusk eel sighting has again brought into focus how little is understood about what goes on beneath the surface. For scientists, every dive into the depths is not just a quest for bizarre creatures but an advance towards comprehending how life survives in the planet's harshest climes.