A research team in the Canary Islands documented an extraordinarily rare sighting of a black seadevil anglerfish, marking only the second time the species has been observed alive.
“It was like a dream come true,” said David Jara Bogunyà, a marine wildlife photographer with NGO Condrik Tenerife. Jara and his colleagues aboard the vessel Glaucus spent an hour swimming alongside and photographing the elusive deep-sea creature, which typically resides between 650 and 6,500 feet below the ocean’s surface.
A Rare and Astonishing Sighting
Black seadevils (Melanocetus johnsonii), whose genus name translates to “black sea monster,” are known for their gaping jaws, sharp fangs, and bioluminescent lures that attract prey. Despite their intimidating appearance, they measure only about six inches long.
The footage quickly gained attention from scientists, who were amazed at the sighting. Kory Evans, a fish biologist at Rice University, was initially skeptical: “When I first saw the video, I honestly didn’t believe what I was seeing. I thought it was A.I.”
Bruce Robison, a senior scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, emphasized the rarity of the event. “It’s a really rare event to see a deep-sea critter like that close to the surface.” Robison was also responsible for capturing the only other known footage of a living black seadevil, which was recorded at 1,900 feet by the remotely operated vehicle Doc Ricketts in Monterey Bay in 2014.
Why Did the Black Seadevil Appear Near the Surface?
Scientists remain uncertain about what prompted the black seadevil to swim so close to the surface. Evans noted the unexpected nature of the fish's behavior, as these deep-sea dwellers are typically ambush predators that remain motionless, bobbing in the water while waiting for prey.
“Their whole deal is not moving,” Evans explained. “They kind of sit there, so seeing this one actively swimming is shocking.”
Although the exact cause remains unknown, researchers continue to analyze potential explanations for this extraordinary event.
Read next
16:16
Environmental Initiative
Hong Kong's iconic landmarks dimmed their lights on Saturday evening for Earth Hour, joining a global movement to raise awareness about climate change and promote energy conservation. The city's participation in the annual event highlighted the growing commitment to sustainability and environmental
16:13
Rebel Movement
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have announced plans to reposition their forces from the town of Walikale, which they seized earlier this week, in an effort to support broader initiatives aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
14:42
Pope's Return
Pope Francis will make his first public appearance in five weeks on Sunday, offering a blessing from his hospital window as he recovers from double pneumonia.
14:24
Firefighting tragedy
Two firefighters have tragically died and two more remain missing as wildfires continue to ravage South Korea, with over 20 fires burning across the country. The most severe blaze, in South Gyeongsang province, has already consumed hundreds of acres.
13:45
Zelenskyy visits
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the eastern Donetsk region, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining stability and support for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment