The great thing about our senior project is that beside our principle goal of improving ISR capabilities, our vehicle can be used in many other applications. One potential area of use is in the exploration and discovery of deep ocean life. Seeing what other explorers are finding under water nowadays definitely motivates me to drive this project to completion.

Too Creepy! Photo Credit: Ventutter.com
I recently came across an article about Idiacanthus Atlanticus or, in other words, Black Dragonfish. These terrifying yet mesmerizing creatures can be found as deep as 6,500 ft below the subtropical and temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere. As with many creatures on this planet, male and female Black Dragonfish look very different from each other. The females have barbels on their chin and fang-like teeth while the males lack these features and are much smaller. Because resources are in limited quantities deep below the ocean surface, males don’t have a functional digestive system. Since males don’t consume valuable resources, they only live long enough to mate.

Dragonfish Larvae. Photo Credit: thefeaturedcreature.com
Dragonfish larvae are also very strange. They have long stalks with eyes at the very end which protrude out from their small bodies. As they mature, these stalks retract back into their bodies where their eyes find their final position.
Although Black Dragonfish and similar species live most of their lives in the deep end of the ocean, they sometime swim up to the surface at night. This means that there is a possibility we can see this species within our vehicle’s operating range!
Until next time!
To support the completion of our project please check out our GoFundMe site and pass it along to your friends. We have already raised $500 and we couldn’t be more excited! Thanks everyone!