Dharamshala, 10th February: Off the coast of Antarctica, scientists have uncovered the world’s largest known breeding fish colony. It’s 500 meters (1,640 feet) beneath the ice that covers the Weddell Sea. Icefish is the name for these fish. This huge nesting population covers at least 240 square kilometers (92 square miles) of the seafloor.
From freshwater cichlids to stomachless pufferfish, a variety of fish build nests. However, until now, researchers had only discovered a few dozen icefish nesting near each other. Even the most social nesting fish species were only found to congregate in the hundreds. There are an estimated 60 million active nests in the new one!
These scientists were looking at the chemical connections between surface waters and the bottom. Surveying seabed life was a part of that work. To accomplish this, they towed a device that recorded video while gliding just above the ocean’s surface. It also employed sound to map the features of the seafloor.
Only the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters are home to the ice fish. The development of clear blood full of antifreeze molecules was one of the traits they acquired to endure the intense cold.
It’s unclear why so many icefish congregate in such close quarters to reproduce. The site appears to have decent plankton access. Fish hatchlings would enjoy them as a meal. The team also discovered a zone with slightly warmer water in the area. This could aid the icefish in locating this breeding ground.
The researchers believe that the nesting fish have a significant and previously unknown impact on Antarctic food webs. They could, for example, be sustaining Weddell seals. The seals spend much of their time on the ice above the breeding colony. According to previous studies, these seals spend the majority of their time diving in waters above the nesting site.
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