Anglerfish, denizens of the deep ocean known for their large head, dead eyes, menacing teeth and glowing lures that extend from their dorsal fins are difficult creatures to watch in action. They live in conditions several hundred metres below the surface and scientists have never actually seen these creatures mate in the wild. Well, that’s no longer the case. In a rare video, exclusively released to Science Magazine captured by the science-focused Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation, a female fanfin sea devil slowly pitches back and forth in the cold, dark water 2,600 feet under the surface of the North Atlantic.

In a video, a female anglerfish can be seen with her bioluminescent filaments and fin rays extended, while a dwarf male can be seen clasped on to her underbelly. The mating pair has fused together in what biologists call sexual parasitism. The male receives protection and precious nutrients from the female’s circulatory system and in return the female has a steady supply of sperm, for when she’s ready to spawn. The video was shot 800 metres down a seawall off Sao Jorge Island in the Azores by deep-sea explorers Kirsten and Joachim Jokobsen, a husband and wife team, using a special submersible.

Video of Anglerfish mating is a rare sighting

The duo had captured the footage in August 2016 and has only recently been released to the public. Identified as Caulophryne jordani, there are 14 female specimens of this preserved in natural history collections worldwide, but a live male has never been seen. Before this, scientists had already known that anglerfish mated in this way, as suggested by recovered specimens of dead females with dead males still attached to them.

Another fascinating aspect is that these glowing structures are like a cross between a cat’s whiskers and a spider’s web, they sense the waters around the anglerfish for predators and prey. When a prospective male is detected, the female, who is otherwise sedentary, makes a sudden dash in the direction of the target. This is some weird romance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 06:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).