A black seadevil anglerfish, known for residing thousands of feet underwater, was recorded swimming near the surface off the Canary Islands, marking possibly the first such sighting. Discovered by the Spanish NGO Condrik Tenerife and marine photographer David Jara Boguna, the video captured the female fish, which can grow up to 7 inches and features a bioluminescent lure, before it died shortly after. Experts speculate it may have been ill or fleeing a predator. This rare observation adds to records primarily consisting of larvae or dead specimens, highlighting the significance of the find.
In what could be the world’s inaugural recorded sighting, a black seadevil anglerfish – recognized for inhabiting depths of thousands of feet below the ocean’s surface – was filmed swimming near the ocean’s surface. As reported by the New York Times, this deep-sea fish, characterized by its array of sharp teeth, was observed close to the water’s surface near the Canary Islands off Africa’s coast earlier this month. The finding was made by the Spanish NGO Condrik Tenerife alongside marine photographer David Jara Boguna during their shark research.
A video posted on Instagram showcased the female fish, whose scientific name means “black sea monster,” gliding through the illuminated waters off the coast of Tenerife. “This may be the first recorded sighting in the world of a living black demon or adult abyssal (Melanocetus johnsonii), seen in broad daylight and at the surface!!” the caption stated.
Check out the video below:
It remains uncertain why the black seadevil anglerfish was navigating shallow waters; however, the team that encountered the creature speculated it could have been unwell or fleeing from a predator. According to the New York Times, it unfortunately passed away shortly after the footage was captured, yet experts express that witnessing it alive, even for a brief moment, was an incredible opportunity, given that these eerie fish generally inhabit depths ranging from 650 to 6,500 feet below sea level.
“Historically, records have primarily included larvae, deceased adults, or sightings by submarines during deep-sea scientific explorations,” Condrik Tenerife stated online, highlighting the rarity of this sighting.
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This fish, which carries “devil” in its name, is as dark as the depths it traditionally calls home. Its teeth resemble razors. Female black seadevils, like the one recorded, lure prey using a rod-like appendage on their head that features a luminous tip. As illustrated in the Disney film “Finding Nemo,” this light attracts prey, and when they approach, the anglerfish can consume them.
According to the Australian Museum, female black seadevil anglerfish dominate their species, growing significantly larger than males. They can reach lengths of up to 7 inches and possess the distinctive features of a large head with pointed teeth and a bioluminescent lure, while males only grow to about an inch long and do not have a lure.
The Spanish NGO Condrik Tenerife acknowledged marine biologist Laia Valor for the discovery, stating that its team had observed the fish for several hours; however, it noted that the fish, native to deep ocean habitats, was already injured and unfortunately did not survive.