The NGO Condrik Tenerife, which focuses on the research and preservation of sharks and rays in the Canary Islands, has released a video capturing an extraordinary sighting of a Black Devil, specifically an adult abyssal rapped. This happened during broad daylight, nearly two kilometres from the coast of Tenerife, an exceedingly rare occurrence for this species.
“This might be the first documented sighting globally of a black devil or adult abyssal rapped, melanocetus Johnsonii, alive, in full daylight and near the surface. It is a mythical fish that very few individuals have had the chance to see alive,” noted the NGO in an Instagram post. They explained that they were conducting a shark research expedition when one of the marine biologists, Laia Value, spotted the abyssal monkfish.
The observation took place on January 26 close to the coast of Playa San Juan, in the municipality of Guía de Isora, Tenerife. As of now, Marine Biologist Laia Value reported to Efe that only dead larvae or specimens have been seen so near the surface previously.
“We noticed it while returning to port. We sailed past it, and I observed something black that didn’t appear to be plastic or anything similar; it looked unusual. After spotting it, we spent a couple of hours alongside. It was injured and in poor condition, lasting only a few hours alive,” Value elaborated, emphasising that the reasons for the specimen being so close to the surface could be “numerous.”
“We don’t have a definite explanation, but this is not typical. It is an exceptionally rare and fleeting sighting. While we cannot assert that such occurrences never take place, if they were to happen more frequently, we would see it more often. Nonetheless, we believe this might be the first time it has been recorded in this manner,” she added.
After confirming the fish had succumbed, the biologist explained that it was collected as a sample in a water-filled container and subsequently transferred to the Museum of Nature and Archeology (MUNA) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
“This could be the first recorded instance globally of a black devil or an adult abyssal rapped, melanocetus Johnsonii, alive, in broad daylight and at the surface. It is a legendary fish that very few individuals will have had the honour of observing while alive,” stated the NGO Condrik Tenerife in an Instagram post.
The expedition from this organisation was undertaking a shark research campaign when they encountered the abyssal monkfish.
“This species is a genuine predator of the depths, inhabiting the seabed at depths between 200 and 2,000 metres. It utilises its dorsal appendage, which is abundant in bioluminescent symbiotic bacteria, as bait to lure its prey, similar to what is depicted in the popular film ‘Finding Nemo’,” they added.
In relation to the factors that may have driven the creature to swim in such shallow waters, the NGO pointed out that it remains “uncertain,” suggesting that it may have resulted from an illness, ascending currents, or possibly the presence of a predator.
“It is a genuine predator of the depths, inhabiting the seabed at depths between 200 and 2,000 metres, and utilises its dorsal appendage, filled with bioluminescent symbiotic bacteria, to attract its prey, much like what is seen in the popular film ‘Finding Nemo’,” they reiterated.
On the subject of what could have prompted the animal to surface in such shallow waters, the NGO highlighted that the reasons remain “uncertain” and might be linked to some disease, the influence of ascending currents, or possibly in reaction to a predator.
