The black devilfish (melanocetus Johnsonii) is among the most mysterious and feared creatures of the ocean. With its dark skin, sharp teeth, and a bioluminescent appendage used to lure its prey, this fish is a genuine hunter of the deep sea.
Typically residing more than 1,000 metres deep, it is exceedingly rare to encounter one near the surface. Nonetheless, a remarkable discovery was made recently in the waters off Tenerife, piquing the curiosity of the scientific community.
ABYSSAL FISH
On January 26, members of the NGO Condrik Tenerife, which focuses on the conservation of sharks and rays in the Canary Islands, recorded a video of an adult black devilfish swimming near the surface, merely two kilometres from the coast of Playa San Juan in the municipality of Guía de Isora.
This observation is unusual, as previously only dead larvae or specimens had been documented in surface waters. Marine biologist Valle, who participated in the discovery, explained that they came across the fish while returning to port.
Black devilfish / The province
“We passed by it and noticed something black that didn’t appear to be plastic or anything; it seemed peculiar to me. After spotting it, we spent a few hours with it. It was injured and not in a good state; it only survived a few hours,” Valle recounted.
The reasons behind this specimen’s emergence into shallower waters remain uncertain. “The reasons could be numerous,” the expert emphasized, highlighting the unusual nature of this observation.
A UNIQUE HUNTING METHOD
The black devilfish is a master of stealth hunting. Its distinct luminescent appendage, known as the lure, enables it to attract fish and crustaceans in darkness. When a potential prey approaches close enough, the fish opens its enormous mouth and consumes it in an instant.
It is one of the mysteries of the ocean floor / The province
Additionally, its jaw is remarkably flexible, allowing it to swallow prey even larger than itself, which is a crucial advantage in an environment where food is limited.
EXTREME REPRODUCTION
Another captivating aspect of the black devilfish is its reproductive method. The males are minuscule compared to the females and cannot survive for long on their own.
Upon finding a female, they attach themselves to her body with their teeth and, in time, merge with her. Their organs wither, except for those responsible for reproduction, ensuring the female always has a reproductive partner at hand.
Its presence in surface waters may be attributed to various factors, ranging from changes in water temperature to health issues affecting the specimen.
Despite its fearsome appearance, this fish poses no danger to humans, but its sighting serves as a reminder that the ocean continues to conceal countless secrets yet to be unveiled.
