![Ratfish-1.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTeUCWii147KFag2jcvFEkXE5CRaC4tDE3wVgA8GWK9xa/Ratfish-1.jpg)

What is that thing? Big bug eyes, reflective skin and a rat like tail. Pulled out of the pages of H.P. Lovecraft these bizarre members of the shark family are Spotted Ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei. They are actually members of the chimera family. There are around 30 species in this order of fish. Chimaeras are found in temperate ocean waters around the world. Most species are found in deep ocean waters. Chimaeras range in size from 1-5 feet.

These fish are typically bottom dwellers and can be quite inquisitive with divers. Due to large eye a divers light or flashes from camera strobes can be detrimental to the animal so please be careful with your lights when encountering these really unique fish. 

They have grinding plates in their mouths rather than teeth and can be seen foraging for clams and other invertebrates on the ocean floor for food. Be patient and wait for the best angles to capture these fish. They are fairly slow moving so gettign a good image can be quite easy.

Thanks for reading and happy snapping everyone!

Scott 

For more adventures and images - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/