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.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
NATO needs to evolve to meet today’s changing world, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday.
Pakistan has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his "diplomatic role and leadership" during the recent crisis with India.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
NATO needs to evolve to meet today’s changing world, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
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The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visited military personnel in Los Angeles on Friday following their deployment to the city earlier this month in response to protests triggered by federal immigration enforcement actions.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
As Argentina’s unemployment hits a four-year high, the spotlight has turned to the libertarian administration of President Javier Milei, whose sweeping economic reforms are reshaping the country’s social and labour landscape.
South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, will travel to the United States from June 22 to 27 for a new round of high-level discussions aimed at resolving escalating trade tensions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on Saturday.
US President Donald Trump said Friday that a major deal with Harvard University could be announced soon.
US President Donald Trump rejected the official assessment from his intelligence community that Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon.
NATO needs to evolve to meet today’s changing world, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday.
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