Radioactive Fish Found Off of Coast of Japan

Mike, the Murasoi - Sebastes pachycephalus (TEPCO)

Scientists from Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) say a murasoi fish found near Ōkuma, Fukushima, Japan had levels of radiation over 2,500 times the legal safe limit for seafood.  In 2011, a massive tsunami severely damaged the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, resulting in radioactive contamination from reactor meltdowns.

Despite the extremely high levels of radiation, the fish had no visible signs of mutations.  Murasoi (Sebastes pachycephalus) are members of the rockfish family and grow to a maximum length of about 42 cm (16.5 inches).

The media has dubbed this fish "Mike, the Murasoi."

Fish are not the only wildlife to be affected by the reactor meltdowns:
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/fukushima-radiation-causes-insect-mutations-researchers-20120817-24cy2.html

Amazing Pictures of New Species of Deep Sea Fish (treehugger.com)

 Check out these awesome pictures from "Edith Widder on Mimicking the Glow of Deep Sea Fish to Discover New Species" on treehugger.com:

A deep-sea fish with a built-in headlight used to seek out prey and attract mates. This fish, sometimes referred to as the rat-trap fish, has a remarkable jaw that can unhinge allowing the fish to swallow prey bigger than itself.

This shrimp spews bioluminescence out of its mouth like a fire breathing dragon in order to temporarily blind a predator allowing the shrimp time to escape into the darkness. The predator, in this case, is a viperfish that has bioluminescent light organs all along its belly that it uses to camouflage itself against downwelling sunlight. This trick, called counterillumination, is used by many fish, shrimp and squid to help them hide from predators swimming below them.

 

The electronic jellyfish lure designed to imitate the pinwheel bioluminescent display of the Atolla wyvillei (treehugger.com)

The common deep-sea jellyfish Atolla wyvillei as it appears under white light. Photos courtesy of Edith Widder

A new species of squid attracted by the electronic jellyfish lure.