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.
Disney is reshaping its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, shifting focus toward business outcomes, according to an internal note obtained by Axios.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 12th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump is pushing a radical plan to cut $1 trillion in federal spending and shrink the U.S. government. With Elon Musk leading the effort, the White House faces legal challenges and economic concerns over the impact of its cuts.
Elon Musk criticised the U.S. bureaucracy on Tuesday, arguing that unelected officials hold too much power. Speaking alongside President Donald Trump, he defended his push for government oversight after a judge blocked his department from accessing Treasury payment systems.
The trial of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan is drawing international attention, as he faces serious charges of war crimes and terrorism, while Ukrainian lawmakers intensify their criticism over his alleged ties to the Kremlin.
Far-right parties are surging across Europe, winning record seats and reshaping politics. Economic hardship, immigration fears, and social shifts fuel their rise.
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.
Disney is reshaping its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, shifting focus toward business outcomes, according to an internal note obtained by Axios.
The Sarandí stream in Buenos Aires, Argentina, turned bright red on Thursday for unknown reasons, raising concerns among authorities and residents. The waterway, which flows into the Río de la Plata, is under investigation to determine the cause.
Uzbekistan’s flag carrier has announced airline’s plan to purchase a dozen of aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus, marking a significant milestone in upgrading and expanding its fleet.
Azerbaijan has halted activities of “Russian House” in Baku according to local media reports on Thursday, following accusations of espionage. This is being described as an escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Elon Musk has called for the shutdown of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), arguing that the U.S.-funded media outlets serve as government propaganda tools and waste taxpayer money.
Oxford researchers unveil a scalable quantum supercomputer capable of quantum teleportation, paving the way for next-gen tech with enhanced security and computational power.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) continues to provide stunning insights into the universe.
Far-right parties are surging across Europe, winning record seats and reshaping politics. Economic hardship, immigration fears, and social shifts fuel their rise.
Disney is reshaping its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, shifting focus toward business outcomes, according to an internal note obtained by Axios.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation found thousands of new documents related to the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy after President Donald Trump called for the release of classified intelligence and law enforcement files about the 1963 shooting.
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
The trial of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan is drawing international attention, as he faces serious charges of war crimes and terrorism, while Ukrainian lawmakers intensify their criticism over his alleged ties to the Kremlin.
Far-right parties are surging across Europe, winning record seats and reshaping politics. Economic hardship, immigration fears, and social shifts fuel their rise.
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.
Disney is reshaping its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, shifting focus toward business outcomes, according to an internal note obtained by Axios.
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