14 DAY TRIAL // One aquarium in Japan is bound to attract hundreds of visitors following its rolling out an exhibition showcasing a rather unique specimen: a fish whose blood is devoid of hemoglobin and therefore completely transparent.
In all fairness, the blood circulating inside this fish' body does contain some hemoglobin. Still, its concentration is one of just 1%.
Since most animals have a hemoglobin (or some other pigments responsible for oxygen-binding and oxygen-transporting) concentration of up to 45%, the researchers who had the opportunity to have a closer look at this specimen were left with no choice except label it as an oddity.
Because of these anatomical peculiarities, the specimen now on display in Japan at the Tokyo Sea Life Park is referred to by wildlife researchers as an ice fish.
By the looks of it, the scientific community first became aware of the existence of this fish species back in 2011, when the specimen currently living at said aquarium in Japan was caught in the waters of the Antarctic Ocean by some krill fishermen.
Since then, several researchers have been trying to make head and tail of its anatomy, Daily Mail says.
Thus, it is being said that this particular fish has managed to survive without having any hemoglobin in his blood due to the fact that the cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean are particularly high in oxygen.
The fish is believed to have figured out a way to have its oxygen demands met with the help of blood plasma.
Furthermore, it has an unusually large heart, which the researchers speculate helps him survive without hemoglobin, the same source informs us.
Apparently, one other specimen was also brought back to shore together with the one now on display at the aquarium.
The two spawned back in January this year, and researchers hope that their analyzing the anatomical make-up of this new generation of ice fish will allow them to better explain the mysteries surrounding this peculiar one-of-a-kind species.