Head to head
Telescope Fish vs Barreleye
The telescope fish and barreleye both rely on highly specialised upward-facing eyes to hunt in the dim twilight zone, but their eye structure and body plan differ.
| Telescope Fish | Barreleye | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gigantura chuni | Macropinna microstoma |
| Eye structure | Tubular, upward-pointing | Tubular, inside a transparent dome |
| Eye mobility | Not specifically documented as rotating | Rotates forward to track prey |
| Notable feature | Highly expandable jaw and stomach | Transparent, fluid-filled head dome |
| What looks like eyes on the face | None comparable | Actually nostrils |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Population trend | Stable | Unknown |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Telescope Fish vs Barreleye: common questions
Do the telescope fish and barreleye both have upward-pointing eyes?
Yes, both species evolved tubular, upward-facing eyes to spot prey silhouetted against faint surface light, though the barreleye's eyes sit inside a transparent dome and can rotate, while the telescope fish's eye mobility is not as specifically documented.
What is the transparent dome on the barreleye's head, and does the telescope fish have one too?
The barreleye has a unique transparent, fluid-filled dome housing its eyes, a feature not present on the telescope fish, which instead has its tubular eyes exposed directly on its head.
How does the telescope fish catch prey compared to the barreleye?
The telescope fish relies on a highly expandable jaw and stomach to swallow prey close to its own size, while the barreleye feeds more on small jellyfish, siphonophores, and plankton caught in its field of view.