The iconic tripodfish(Bathypterois grallator), are from the Ipnopidae family, and are often called spiderfish. They prop themselves high off the seafloor on their stilt-like fins. Like most members of the spiderfish family, tripodfish have very reduced eyes. To feed, they face into the current, extending their elongated pectoral fins forward ‘feeling’ for prey as it drifts by. They filter suspended food particles with their comb-like gill rakers.
It can be lonely on the ocean floor so tripodfish are hermaphrodites – meaning they have both male and female sexual organs, so don’t need to find a mate.
Coin’s reverse design depicts the CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator and deep tow camera exploring the deep ocean
Set contains ‘C’ Mintmark and ‘S’, ‘M’ and ‘B’ Privy Mark coins
Coin’s obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designed by Jody Clark
