It is a well known fact scientists know more about the surface of the moon then our own deep oceans, given the immense pressures associated with deep sea diving and the tremendous costs of submarines.  When researchers begin to dive deep into the ocean the creatures they find are the most unique in the world. We see fish with big white blind eyes, transparent bones and translucent bodies. Flashes of lights, baited by antennas, the deep of the oceans is something out of a folk tale or bad dream.

Recently a research team submerged into this deep underworld to encounter and document the first ever video and images of the rarely ever seen black ‘Seadevil’. This denizen of the deep was spotted off the coast of Monterey Bay, off California, in deep waters of about 1,900 feet below the sea surface. The creature was spotted earlier this week by researchers with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.

“We’ve been diving out here in the Monterey Canyon regularly for 25 years, and we’ve seen three,” MBARI Senior Scientist Bruce Robinson told the San Jose Mercury News Friday.

Robison spoke to reporters of the paper describing to them the luminescent “fishing pole” projecting from the fish’s head as a glowing lure to capture prey. Robison also conveyed to the paper, the team of marine biologist were able to capture the fish to study, but have no idea how long it will survive.

In the two minute long video, the back Seadevil seems to be pretty menacing swimming toward the enticing camera, even though it is only about 3.5 inches long. Scientists know little about the fish, other than the male Seadevil are much smaller in size than the females and have a significant shorter lifespan. It is also know that the male Seadivil’s sole purpose in its life is to attach itself to a female, to live along it as a parasite.