Scientists filmed the deepest fish on the seabed off the coast of Japan | CNN

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Traveling at a depth of 8,336 meters (more than 27,000 feet) just above the seafloor, the young snail became the deepest-sea fish ever captured by scientists while exploring the North Pacific Abyss.

Scientists from the University of Western Australia and the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology released on Sunday footage of the snail taken last September by marine robots in deep trenches off the coast of Japan.

In addition to filming the deepest snail, scientists physically captured two more specimens at a depth of 8,022 meters and set another record for the deepest catch.

Previously, the deepest snail ever discovered was at a depth of 7,703 meters in 2008, while scientists have never managed to catch a fish below 8,000 meters.

“The important thing is that it shows how far a particular species of fish will go down into the ocean,” said marine biologist Alan Jamieson, founder of the Minderoo-UWA Center for Deep Sea Science, who led the expedition.

Scientists are filming video in trenches off the coast of Japan as part of a 10-year study of the world’s deepest fish populations. The snails are members of the family Liparidae, and while most snails live in shallow waters, others survive in the greatest depths ever recorded, Jamieson said.

During a two-month study last year, three “landers” – automated marine robots equipped with high-definition cameras – were dropped into three trenches – the Japan, Izu-Ogasawara and Ryukyu trenches – at different depths.

In the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, the footage shows the deepest snail floating calmly alongside other crustaceans on the seabed.

Jamieson classified the fish as juveniles and said young deep-sea snails often stay as deep as possible to avoid being eaten by larger predators swimming at shallower depths.

Another clip, filmed at an altitude of 7,500 to 8,200 meters in the same trench, showed a colony of fish and crustaceans munching on bait tethered to an underwater robot.

Images of two captured snails identified as Pseudoliparis belyaevi – provide a rare glimpse into the unique features that help deep-sea species survive in extreme conditions.

They have tiny eyes, a translucent body and lack a swim bladder that helps other fish swim, Jamieson said.

The professor said the Pacific Ocean is particularly conducive to activity because of its warm southerly current, which encourages sea creatures to go deeper, and its rich marine life provides a good food source for bottom feeders.

Scientists would like to learn more about the creatures living at extreme depths, but cost is a limitation, Jamieson said, adding that each lander costs them $200,000 to assemble and operate.

“The problem is that the technology is expensive and the scientists don’t have the money,” he said.