Martingeels

Martingeels are a family of deep-sea fish belonging to the order Anguilliformes. They are characterized by their elongated, eel-like bodies and are found in marine environments worldwide. These fish typically inhabit the abyssal and hadal zones of the ocean, meaning they live at great depths. Martingeels are generally small to medium in size, with most species measuring less than a meter in length. Their coloration can vary but often includes shades of brown, grey, or black, providing camouflage in the dark depths. Their diet consists primarily of small invertebrates and other small fish that also live in the deep sea. Little is known about their reproductive habits, as is common for many deep-sea organisms due to the challenges of studying them in their natural habitat. They possess large eyes, which are adapted to detect the faint bioluminescence present in their environment. Martingeels are not a commercially important group of fish and are rarely encountered by humans. Their existence highlights the biodiversity found in the Earth's deepest oceans.