Caught on Camera: The Creepy Cool Black Seadevil
Anglerfish look like they belong in a horror story, but the interesting creatures are roaming the ocean depths.
Recently, researchers with the Montery Bay Aquarium Research Institute came across one of these beasties at depths of 1,900 feet in the Monterey Canyon. The Melanocetus — commonly known as the Black Seadevil — has been captured on video less than a dozen times.
"This is the first time we've captured this fish on video in its habitat," senior scientist Bruce Robison said on Montery Bay Aquarium's website. "Anglerfish, like this Melanocetus, are among the most rarely seen of all deep-sea fishes.
"The shining spot at the tip of the 'fishing pole' projecting from the fish's head is a glowing lure," Robison is quoted on the site. "The anglerfish uses its light to attract prey in its deep, dark habitat."
The little angler captured in this video was only about 9 centimeters long, according to the MBARI's Youtube video.
MBARI's ROV Doc Ricketts observed this anglerfish for the first time at 600 meters on a midwater research expedition in November 2014. They said they believe this is the first video footage ever made of this species alive and at depth.
For an informative, yet hilariously-narrated video about the anglerfish, check out the video below.
Anglerfish look like they belong in a horror story, but the interesting creatures are roaming the ocean depths.
Recently, researchers with the Montery Bay Aquarium Research Institute came across one of these beasties at depths of 1,900 feet in the Monterey Canyon. The Melanocetus — commonly known as the Black Seadevil — has been captured on video less than a dozen times.
"This is the first time we've captured this fish on video in its habitat," senior scientist Bruce Robison said on Montery Bay Aquarium's website. "Anglerfish, like this Melanocetus, are among the most rarely seen of all deep-sea fishes.
"The shining spot at the tip of the 'fishing pole' projecting from the fish's head is a glowing lure," Robison is quoted on the site. "The anglerfish uses its light to attract prey in its deep, dark habitat."
The little angler captured in this video was only about 9 centimeters long, according to the MBARI's Youtube video.
MBARI's ROV Doc Ricketts observed this anglerfish for the first time at 600 meters on a midwater research expedition in November 2014. They said they believe this is the first video footage ever made of this species alive and at depth.
For an informative, yet hilariously-narrated video about the anglerfish, check out the video below.
