Overview

• The newly described species are the bumpy snailfish (Careproctus colliculi), the dark snailfish (Careproctus yanceyi), and the sleek snailfish (Paraliparis em).
• Specimens were collected in 2019 at about 3,268 meters in Monterey Canyon and roughly 4,100 meters near Station M using the ROV Doc Ricketts and the submersible Alvin.
• The formal descriptions in Ichthyology & Herpetology combine microscopy, micro-CT scanning, detailed morphometrics, and DNA sequencing to confirm their distinct status.
• The bumpy snailfish has only one confirmed observation so far, with researchers calling for further surveys to determine ranges and abundance.
• Distinct traits include a fully black, round‑headed dark snailfish with a suction disk and a long, laterally compressed sleek snailfish that lacks one, with MBARI releasing new images and video.