Given the extreme depths to which scientists must go to find these frightful–and tiny–fish, little is known about the hatchetfish. A prime source of worldwide model envy, the morose-looking creatures derive their name from how razor-thin they are, no extreme dieting required.
Anatomically speaking, the hatchetfish’s silver-colored thorax resembles a hatchet’s blade. Its name is somewhat deceiving, though; measuring a mere one to five inches in length, the hatchetfish is hardly imposing, let alone deadly. It’s just, well, pretty terrifying to look at.
The marine hatchetfish is endowed with bioluminescent properties, which allow it to evade predators lurking in the depths below. If you absolutely must see one for yourself, you’ll need to slip on your scuba gear and head to the Pacific, Indian or Atlantic Oceans and swim at least 50 meters below the oceans’ surface, as that’s where the hatchetfish calls home.