Larval Cyclopsetta

Often, larval fish look nothing like their adult counterparts. This makes it difficult for scientists to study one species for the duration of its life. Through the partnership with blackwater divers, Smithsonian researchers are now able to visualize a species in its natural habitat and genetically identify the species using the collected specimen.

“Flounder larvae were one of the first fish larvae that we learned to identify. Like most of the fishes, the larvae don’t look anything like the adults. This a Spotfin Flounder larva, Cyclopsetta fimbriata.” Linda Ianniello, blackwater diver.