On February 5, an unbelievable video surfaced online, quickly going viral upon upload. Depicted in it was a deep-sea anglerfish, known as the “black seadevil” or humpback anglerfish, swimming at surface level waters—far above its typical depths. It captured the attention of thousands of social media users who posted reactions and artistic interpretations of the anglerfish’s mysterious journey to the sunlight zone. 

While aboard the Glaucus, a team of researchers from Condrik Tenerife spotted a strange figure during one of their research expeditions. They identified the anglerfish just two kilometers off of the coast of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, leaving the crew utterly stunned. The Condrik team, whose research focuses on shark and ray conservation, certainly did not expect to find anything outside of the ordinary—especially a deep-sea creature.

For more insight on the peculiarity of this event, black seadevil anglerfish usually live anywhere from 100 to 4500 meters in the ocean, which is in the bathypelagic or twilight zone. No sunlight reaches this depth, and conditions stay at a temperature of four degrees Celsius (or 39 degrees Fahrenheit) with a pressure of 100 to 400 atmospheres. Records of anglerfish in the sunlight zone (200 meters and above) only include sightings of larvae or dead specimens, whereas live viewings have only been captured through submarines at their usual depths. For a live, adult anglerfish such as the one in the video to appear at the surface and be recorded is something of enormous significance. Not only did it maintain its shape at vastly lower pressures, but it was active and swimming—which is unusual for an ambush predator like the anglerfish.

This invites the question: if this event is so rare, and black seadevils live at such staggeringly different depths… what exactly caused it? While experts and scientists alike aren’t exactly sure, a number of explanations have been hypothesized. Possible theories include a change in current, an illness or disease, swallowing prey with a swim bladder, or being spat out by a predator.

Tragically, the anglerfish did not survive for long after the sighting. The Condrik researchers remained with it for the last few hours of its life. However, not all hope is lost; the anglerfish was collected and sent to the Museum of Nature and Archaeology of Tenerife for further research. This research will be undeniably valuable as deep sea life is brimming with information yet to be investigated and discovered; technology limitations bar scientists from fully exploring and understanding depths beyond our reach. Regardless of the reasons, the death of the anglerfish will not be in vain––it will help to further research and forever be remembered in its legendary sighting.