Rare Deep-Sea Anglerfish Captures Global Attention After Surfacing Near Canary Islands

The black seadevil's unexpected appearance in shallow waters sparked widespread fascination and emotional responses online before its death.

A black seadevil anglerfish, typically found at depths of up to 6,500 feet, was spotted near the surface off Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands in late January 2025.
Marine experts speculate that illness, changes in ocean currents, predator evasion, or gas buildup during digestion may have caused the fish to surface.
The fish's brief journey to the sunlight zone and subsequent death led to an outpouring of emotional reactions on social media, with many interpreting its ascent as symbolic or poetic.
The viral video of the fish inspired fan art, poetry, and personal stories, though some criticized the romanticization of the event as biologically inaccurate.
The anglerfish's body was donated to the Tenerife Museum of Nature and Archaeology for preservation and study.