Related to sharks and rays, and sometimes called ghost sharks or rabbitfish, the ratfish generally live in temperate ocean floors, growing up to two meters long. One can well spot it by its size and color ranging from black to brownish gray, with a smooth skin.
Chimaeras found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans are generally spotted, often seen by divers at night in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. But, what recently amazed scientists – is a rare ratfish. It was ‘albino’!
It seemed to have been denied of the usual brown or black color with white spots that allow it to blend in with the bottom of the sea.
The ratfish, which has never been campaigned for savior – perhaps for their repulsive ugly look with rodent-like front teeth may now be an attraction for marine life gazers – thanks to the newfound rare albino ratfish.
The attention-grabbing find may itself be enough a reason to help in educating public about the most abundant fish in the local waters.
Despite their ugliness, the ratfish may be yet another breed in the spotlight of the zoologists and conservationists.
