Gulper eels are deep-sea fish that live throughout the world’s ocean from a few hundred meters deep to over 2,000 meters (over 6,500 feet) deep in the midwater. The gulper eel’s adaptations make it a very successful deep-sea predator—its oversized jaws and stomach allow it to capture prey, swallowing it whole.
Using MBARI’s remotely operated vehicles, we’ve seen gulper eels fewer than twenty times in 30 years of exploration in the deep midwater. Despite its rare appearance, this quintessential deep-sea fish is featured in MBARI’s logo.