Tripod fish is a deep-sea fish named for its unusual posture. The fish has elongated pectoral fins (fins behind the gill openings). It uses those two fins and its tail fin to rest on the muddy ocean floor. In this position, the fish resembles a tripod or three-legged stool. Some tripod fish are called spider fish because their fins are even longer and float above their heads like spider’s legs.
Tripod fish live in all oceans, beneath both tropical and cool seas, at depths of 820 to 18,400 feet (250 to 5,600 meters). Like most other creatures that live in the dark depths of the sea, tripod fish have extremely small eyes that are directed upwards. They also have flattened heads, a small mouth, and a body covered with smooth scales. Adults grow to be 5 to 14 inches (13 to 36 centimeters) in length.
Tripod fish are hermaphrodites << hur MAF ruh dyts >>—that is, animals with both male and female reproductive organs. They feed mainly on plankton (small water organisms).
