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Video: Researchers capture rare footage of ‘Black Seadevil’ at depth

Posted at 3:19 PM, Nov 23, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-23 17:19:23-05

Researchers in the Monterey Bay area have captured footage of an elusive fish with a frightening appearance, and they believe it is the first ever footage to show the creature alive and swimming at depth.

The creature is called a Melanocetus, but it is known as the ‘Black Seadevil.’ The deep-sea angler fish was found in the deep and dark water of Monterey Canyon. According to the video’s description: “MBARI’s ROV Doc Ricketts observed this anglerfish for the first time at 600 m on a midwater research expedition in November 2014. We believe that this is the first video footage ever made of this species alive and at depth.”

MBARI Senior Scientist Burce Robinson reportedly said the fish has been captured to study but that it isn’t clear how long it will survive. The “fishing pole” attached to the creature’s head is a glowing lure that attracts the creature’s prey.

While the fish looks monstrous on camera, it is only about 3.5 inches long.

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