A team of researchers in the Canary Islands has captured rare footage of a black seadevil anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) swimming near the ocean’s surface, a sighting that has only been recorded once before.
The footage, filmed by wildlife photographer David Jara aboard the research vessel Glaucus, has stunned marine biologists—and sent social media into a frenzy.
As the deep-sea predator, typically found at depths of 200 to 2,000 meters, swam unexpectedly close to the surface, the internet exploded with reactions ranging from pure fascination to playful curiosity, social media reactions were surprisingly wholesome. Instead of fear, many users expressed wonder and admiration, creating wholsome comics and sharing it online
Some users even took a creative spin on the sighting, reimagining the anglerfish as a Disney character, complete with adorable animations and whimsical backstories.
Edits of the deep-sea creature with big expressive eyes and a glowing "magic wand" lure quickly went viral, with fans joking that it deserved its own animated movie.
Some users found themselves unexpectedly emotional over the sighting, expressing deep empathy for the anglerfish. Many saw it as a lonely explorer from the deep.
Photo: @kristilynn11 on X
Photo: @LorcansShirt on X
Some users even defended the anglerfish, playfully insisting that it was "just a girl" trying to navigate an unfamiliar environment.
Photo: @Maddie_Jones515 on X
Users were also surprised to learn that the anglerfish was much smaller than they had imagined, with many expecting it to be a massive deep-sea predator rather than just 15 centimeters long.
Photo: @ramymoreau on X
while some did not
Photo: @PallaviGunalan on X
In the end, what started as a rare scientific discovery turned into an unexpectedly wholesome internet moment. Whether they were awed, emotional, or playfully defending the anglerfish, social media users found a way to turn this deep-sea encounter into something charming and relatable.
Photo: @CassandraRules on X
From calling it “just a girl” to imagining it as a Disney character, the black seadevil went from a mysterious deep-sea predator to an unlikely internet sweetheart—a reminder that even the most unusual creatures can find a place in people’s hearts.
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