It took researchers seven years to come to the conclusion that what was captured on film was in fact a pointy-nosed blue blue ratish Hydrolagus trolli otherwise known as a ghost shark. - foxnews
The pointy-nosed blue chimaera, a species of "ghost shark," was captured on camera for the first time in 2009. Video courtesy Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
Previously discovered in the deep sea near Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, researchers observed the pointy-nosed blue chimaera in the North Pacific for the first time in 2009. This footage was captured by a remotely operated vehicle as far as 6,700 feet below the ocean surface. Only recently were experts able to confirm that these fish were the same species as the ones that were previously discovered in the Southern Hemisphere. DNA sampling still needs to be conducted to be certain.
National Geographic
The pointy-nosed blue ratfish Hydrolagus trolli
Video observations of Hydrolagus cf trolli, the pointy-nosed blue ratfish, from the Northeast Pacific ocean represent a range extension for the species and are the first ever of this animal alive, in its natural habitat. The species was originally described from specimens collected off New Caledonia in 2002. It was named in honor of Alaskan artist Ray Troll because of his fascination and appreciation for this strange group of fishes known as chimaeras.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
