Laia Valor, a marine biologist who encountered the anglerfish on the expedition, reported to Oceanographic Magazine that the team spent several hours observing the fish before its demise. Following this, the team transported the specimen to the Museum of Nature and Archeology in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, for further examination.
Humpback anglerfish have typically been observed near the water’s surface only as larvae, deceased adult specimens, or through depictions captured by submarines, as highlighted by Condrik Tenerife in its Instagram post.
Additional insights on the humpback anglerfish:
The specific humpback anglerfish sighted by Condrik Tenerife was identified as a female Melanocetus johnsonii, distinguished by its dorsal extension teeming with bioluminescent bacteria, attracting prey such as crustaceans and fish. According to Oceana, a marine conservation organization, only female anglerfish possess this dorsal feature.
Male anglerfish are diminutive, measuring only about an inch, and are not predatory. Upon hatching, male anglerfish dedicate their lives to seeking out females for reproduction. They latch onto larger females and fertilize their eggs through external fertilization, a phenomenon known as sexual parasitism, as described by Oceana.
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This piece was originally published on USA TODAY: Video captures humpback anglerfish ascending towards the ocean’s surface.
