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What animal has clear blood?

Published in Fish Biology 1 min read

The Antarctic icefish, also known as the ocelated icefish, is the only known vertebrate with clear blood. This unique characteristic is due to the absence of hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in red blood cells.

  • Hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron, which gives blood its red color.
  • Antarctic icefish live in extremely cold water, where oxygen dissolves readily in the water. They have adapted to this environment by evolving a different way to transport oxygen. They have a protein called antifreeze glycoproteins that prevents their blood from freezing.

Other interesting facts about Antarctic icefish:

  • They have transparent bones, making them almost entirely see-through.
  • They have evolved to be able to absorb oxygen directly from the water through their skin.
  • They are an important part of the Antarctic ecosystem, serving as food for other animals like seals and penguins.