A rare “sea devil” was photographed at the bottom of the ocean. He looks straight into the camera

Group of international researchers did rare footage of a strange “sea devil” with bulging eyes. The video was filmed at a depth of 373 meters in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador).

The video shows how this mysterious creature uses its articulated pectoral and pelvic fins to confidently navigate the rocky ocean floor. And at the end it turns around and looks directly at the camera.

Scientists believe that this is some unknown species of the family of anglerfish (Lophiidae) - marine ray-finned fish. Their representatives can live at depths of up to 900 meters. They are distinguished by their huge heads compared to their short flattened bodies, reddish-brown coloring and “stubble”.

The fins of these creatures have modified joints so they can be rotated and used as feet. And their wide mouths allow them to swallow prey as large as themselves. The diet mainly consists of fish, but sometimes they also feast on crustaceans, such as lobsters. It has even been reported that at shallow depths they can eat Arctic seabirds.

Ray-finned animals lead a sedentary lifestyle. During the hunt, they simply hide on the seabed and wait for the prey to approach them. And then they make a sharp lunge towards her and capture her in their mouths.

The name “sea devils” was given to them by fishermen because of their monstrous appearance. They can grow up to 1.4 meters in length and weigh about 22 kilograms.