Pseudoliparis belyaevi

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Pseudoliparis belyaevi is a tiny deep-sea snailfish living in the hadal zone of the Northwest Pacific, especially around the Japan Trench. It has been found at depths up to 7,579 meters, which could beat the depth record for a fish on the seafloor (the previous record was 7,966 meters by a related species). This fish is part of the Liparidae family, which includes hundreds of snailfish that often live in cold, high-pressure waters. P. belyaevi has a slender, tadpole-shaped body about 10.8 cm long, with smooth gelatinous skin that helps withstand pressure and a pinkish to purplish color. Because there is almost no light in its home, it tends to have little pigmentation and relies on other senses; some deep-sea snailfish use bioluminescence. The pelvic fin forms a suction disc, and it has strong pectoral fins to move in the dark, rocky trench floor. It feeds by suction on tiny crustaceans and other small prey. Very little is known about its life history; like other Liparidae, eggs are laid and males may guard them. Due to limited information, the IUCN lists P. belyaevi as Data Deficient.