On January 26, 2025, marine researchers off the coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands spotted a rare black seadevil anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) swimming near the ocean’s surface in broad daylight—an unprecedented sighting for a species typically found 650 to 6,500 feet below in the dark depths of the ocean. This extraordinary encounter, possibly the first of its kind documented live, was captured on video by photographer David Jara Boguñá of Condrik Tenerife, a shark research NGO, and quickly went viral after being shared on social media on February 5.
What’s driving the trend isn’t just the rarity of the sighting but the emotional resonance it’s sparked online. The anglerfish, with its gaping maw, sharp teeth, and bioluminescent lure—familiar to many from its “Finding Nemo” cameo—died shortly after being observed, fueling a wave of poignant narratives. Social media platforms like TikTok and X exploded with posts imagining the fish’s journey as a heroic quest to see sunlight for the first time, a symbol of hope or a final act before death. Heartfelt tributes, including tearful videos, AI-generated animations, poetry, and fan art, have racked up millions of views—some clips hitting over 10 million—turning the six-inch creature into an unexpected folk hero. One popular sentiment online frames it as “a girl who just wanted to see the sun,” blending awe with melancholy.
Scientists, meanwhile, speculate the fish’s unusual ascent might stem from injury, illness, or environmental factors like upwelling currents or digestion of a gas-filled prey, though no definitive cause is confirmed. Its body is now at the Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Tenerife for study, adding a layer of intrigue. The blend of scientific rarity, emotional storytelling, and the fish’s nightmarish yet captivating appearance has kept it buzzing across news outlets and social media, making it a standout topic on Google today. Posts on X also hint at a quirky twist—some users tie its fame to a cryptocurrency called “Anglerfish on Sol,” suggesting a meme coin surge, though this seems more opportunistic than the core reason for its trending status. The real hook? A deep-sea oddity turned internet icon, all in a matter of weeks.