15 Fun Facts About the Bumpy Snailfish
- spencer655
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 27
The ocean hides some of its strangest creatures in the deepest, darkest places. One of the newest discoveries is the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), a small but fascinating fish living thousands of feet below the surface. Scientists only recently described it, making it one of the latest additions to our growing knowledge of deep-sea life.
Here are 15 bumpy snailfish fun facts about this unique species and its snailfish relatives — perfect for sparking curiosity in the classroom.
Fun Facts About the Bumpy Snailfish
1. A brand-new discovery
The bumpy snailfish was only recently described in 2025 by researchers from MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) and SUNY Geneseo.
2. Found with underwater robots
Scientists spotted it using MBARI’s advanced remotely operated vehicle (ROV) called Doc Ricketts, which explores places humans can’t reach.
3. Life in the deep
It was found at a depth of about 3,268 meters (10,722 feet) in Monterey Canyon — far below the reach of sunlight.
4. How big are bumpy snailfish?
The collected specimen was an adult female measuring only about 9.2 cm (3.6 inches) long in size — shorter than a crayon.
5. Pink and bumpy
This species has a pale pink body with a rounded head, large eyes, wide fins, and a distinctive bumpy texture that gave it its name.
6. High-tech science
To study it, scientists used tools like micro-CT scanning, DNA sequencing, and detailed microscopy to confirm it was a brand-new species.
7. Official record
Its description was published in the scientific journal Ichthyology & Herpetology in 2025.
8. A member of the snailfish family
The bumpy snailfish belongs to the Liparidae family — a group known for gelatinous bodies, scaleless skin, and unusual adaptations.
9. Rarely seen alive
Because it lives so deep, the bumpy snailfish has only been observed with cameras and robotic arms on research submersibles.
10. Open science
CT scan data and genetic sequences from the specimen are now publicly available so other researchers can learn from them.
11. A huge snailfish family
There are over 450 known snailfish species found around the world.
12. Masters of depth
Snailfish live everywhere from tide pools near the shore to the deepest ocean trenches more than 8,000 meters down.
13. Sticky bellies
Many snailfish have a suction disk on their underside, made from their pelvic fins, that helps them cling to rocks or even other animals.
14. Gelatinous bodies
Unlike most fish, snailfish are scaleless and jelly-like, which helps them survive high pressure in the deep sea.
15. Clues for science
Studying bumpy snailfish gives researchers insights into how life survives in extreme environments, from crushing pressure to total darkness.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bumpy Snailfish
1. What is the bumpy snailfish?
The bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi) is a newly discovered deep-sea fish. Scientists identified it in 2025, noting its pale pink color, rounded head, large eyes, and distinctive bumpy skin that sets it apart from other fish species.
2. How was the bumpy snailfish discovered?
The species was first seen during a deep-ocean research expedition in 2019 using an advanced remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Scientists confirmed it as a brand-new species through DNA analysis, CT scans, and detailed imaging.
3. Where does the bumpy snailfish live?
So far, the bumpy snailfish has been observed off the coast of California in the Monterey Canyon at a depth of about 10,700 feet. Researchers believe it may also live in nearby deep-sea environments, but its full range is still unknown.
4. How big is the bumpy snailfish?
The only collected specimen measured just 9.2 centimeters long — about 3.6 inches. That makes it smaller than a crayon, despite living in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
5. Why is it called the “bumpy” snailfish?
The name comes from its skin, which is covered in small bumps. This unique texture makes it instantly recognizable compared to other snailfish species.
6. How many types of snailfish exist?
The snailfish family (Liparidae) includes more than 400 species. They can be found in a variety of habitats — from shallow tide pools all the way down to the deepest ocean trenches. The bumpy snailfish is one of the newest members of this large family.
7. Why is the discovery of the bumpy snailfish important?
This discovery shows how much of the ocean we still don’t understand. It highlights the importance of new technologies like underwater robots, CT scans, and genetic sequencing in uncovering species that were previously invisible to science.
8. Is the bumpy snailfish really “cute”?
Many people describe the bumpy snailfish as unexpectedly adorable. With its big eyes, rounded head, and small size, it looks friendlier than the scary deep-sea creatures most people imagine.
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