First Daylight Sighting of Mysterious ‘Black Demon’ Fish Stuns Scientists Off Tenerife Coast
The "Black Demon" Fish Spotted in Shallow Waters for the First Time
[Image 1: A black demon fish swimming near the ocean surface, showcasing its large mouth and sharp teeth.]
Known for its eerie appearance — a large, black body and menacing fangs — the Melanocetus johnsonii, colloquially called the “black demon” fish, has long been a creature of deep-sea nightmares. Recently, scientists made a groundbreaking discovery: they spotted this elusive predator near the ocean’s surface off Tenerife, marking the first recorded daytime sighting of the species in shallow waters.
A Surface Sighting Shocks Scientists
Typically found at depths of 200 to 2,000 meters, the black demon fish thrives in the dark, high-pressure zones of the ocean. Researchers from Condrik Tenerife were stunned to encounter one swimming just below the surface during a routine pelagic shark study. David Jara Boguna, part of the team, shared a video of the encounter on Instagram, calling it a "legendary fish that few people will have had the privilege of observing alive."
The footage sparked viral interest, with viewers marveling at the fish’s alien-like features. One user joked, “Did he lose his son like Nemo?” referencing the anglerfish’s bioluminescent lure, similar to the one featured in Finding Nemo.
Bioluminescent Predator of the Deep
The black demon belongs to the Melanocetidae family (Greek for “black whale”). Its dark, scaleless body and gaping vertical mouth — lined with razor-sharp teeth — make it a fearsome predator. Capable of swallowing prey larger than itself, the fish uses a bioluminescent lure on its dorsal spine to attract victims in the pitch-black depths. “It’s a true predator of the abyss,” said Boguna, explaining how symbiotic bacteria in the lure glow to
