Here’s why everyone is crying over the tragic story of the anglerfish on TikTok

People in TikTok are in literal tears after becoming obsessed with the story of an anglerfish who spent its final moments reaching for light on the ocean’s surface.

TikTok is a weird place. Between mainstream stories such as Duolingo’s death and trends like I met my younger self for coffee, there is an entire world of odd clips that captivate us for weeks on end. The most recent example is undoubtedly the American woman in Pakistan.

Now we’ve got another one to add to the pile, that is if you can put down the tissues long enough to finish the story.

Okay, let’s start at the beginning

Like most TikTok crazes, this story started in the realm of normal before spiralling into something that is hard to wrap your head around.

Last week, scientists in Spain captured the first-ever footage of a black seadevil fish, also known as a humpback anglerfish, out of its usual habitat. The guy from Nemo with the bulb on his head, in case you’re still puzzled.

Usually living 200 to 2,000 metres below sea level, these ugly fishies live in complete darkness besides the bulbous protrusion from their heads that only females have.

“There could be thousands of reasons why it was there,” marine biologist Laia Valor told the EFE news agency. “We simply don’t know. It’s an extremely rare and isolated sighting.”

Sadly, the fishy died soon after the captivating video was recorded. She might be gone, but she now has legions of fans to remember her.

People are not coping with the anglerfish story on TikTok

@savannahbellexoxo

#anglerfish #upset #valentinesday

♬ original sound – Savannah Belle 🌙🪐

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Though incredibly cool and definitely interesting, somehow, this story about a lonely anglerfish has warped into a comment on women’s rights and a lesson in perseverance and drive. TikTok is a strange place, but you already know that.

Videos about the anglerfish story are racking up huge numbers on TikTok and hundreds of people confess to “bawling” over the little fish and its subsequent end “for hours.”

In one video that has amassed 8.3 million views and 2.4 million likes, a crying woman explained to her boyfriend why the moment was so devastating to watch.

“This is not about a f*****g anglerfish,” her boyfriend laughed as she seriously struggled to explain the story amid floods of tears.

@drew_j_garcia

If Pixar made the Anglerfish film 🥹 #fyp #anglerfish #ai #pixar #animation #shortfilm Watch the behind the scenes here @Drew Garcia

♬ Nemo Egg (From “Finding Nemo”) – Extended Edition – Narratio

In another video, and with some help from trusty AI, someone created a short film as if Pixar had picked up the story. It was very Nemo-coded and someone hilariously responded: “I have spent my whole life carrying a light no one could follow. So for my final day, I chose to chase one I never made.
— Anglerfish.”

Essentially, people are losing their minds because in its final moments – and after lighting the way deep below the ocean – the anglerfish chose to experience real light for the first time. All she wanted was to experience “light she didn’t create herself.”

Okay. I get it. I am crying now too.

This damn anglerfish has this empath in a chokehold 😭 pic.twitter.com/Gu3DeRviBF

— kirsti ✨ (@kirstilynn11) February 14, 2025

Why did the fish swim to the surface?

We are not yet at the wild conspiracy theory stage of the TikTok story, but scientists have speculated a great deal about why the anglerfish was so far from home.

@oliviasmind

We cannot cope xxx #anglerfish

♬ original sound – OLIVIA 🧚🏼 HOPE

Speaking to National Geographic, marine scientist Bruce Robison theorised the anglerfish had eaten something with a swim bladder or gas gland which meant it was rising to the surface. Another idea could be underground fissures that bubbled the fish to the top, or a predator eating and then spitting it out closer to the surface.

Personally, I’m going with TikTok’s theory that the fish wanted to see real light just once before passing away.

Gone but never forgotten.

Featured image credit: CBS News/anxiousmumlife