These bizarre anglerfish facts have completely ruined the viral TikTok story and I’m not okay

Who would have guessed that in 2025 we’d all be obsessed with the creepy anglerfish from Nemo? The viral story served as a reminder not to judge a book by its cover, because although undeniably ugly, the fish’s determination to reach the light has captured hearts and minds.

The once-in-a-lifetime footage was captured in Tenerife last week and showed a lonely anglerfish swimming towards the surface. There have been a bunch of theories why but we still don’t know for certain – not that TikTok cares.

Instead, the platform has been swept up in a tsunami of AI-generated videos and people crying as they attempted to explain the sad story to other people. It’s all very strange but I have to admit I’m utterly enthralled by the ocean’s most misunderstood fish.

Unfortunately, after reading some of the most jarring fish facts I’ve ever seen, I just can’t look at the anglerfish story the same way.

1. There are over 300 species

I fully thought anglerfish were one or two species, but as it turns out, there are over 300 variations. Only the deep sea species exhibit some of the strange facts on this list, and the ones in the water column typically grow much bigger regardless of sex.

1. To mate, some anglerfish males attach themselves to females like parasites

This is honestly like something from a horror movie.

When it comes to deep-sea anglerfish, the much smaller males attach themselves to larger females using their tiny rows of razor-sharp teeth. In return for nutrients and protection, they feed her an ever-lasting supply of sperm so she always has fertilised eggs.

2. That glowing orb is full of bacteria

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Most of us can recognise an anglerfish thanks to the bulbous glowing orb it has sprouting from its spine, something we unapologetically learned from Nemo. However, I didn’t realise that it glows because it’s full of millions of bioluminescent bacteria called esca. Gross.

3. Males have enhanced smell to track females down

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

— kirsti ✨ (@kirstilynn11) February 14, 2025

Male anglerfish in deep water are unable to see because of the lack of light. However, in order to find mates, they have enhanced smell that can lock on to nearby females. Even the creepiest Hinge guys have got nothing on male anglerfish.

4. When mating, up to six males can gang up on a female

Are you prepared for one of the most concerning anglerfish facts yet?

People always say there are “plenty of fish in the sea”, but apparently not enough for male anglerfish. Up to six males can latch onto a female at once making anglerfish mating the ocean’s nastiest orgy.

5. Male anglerfish can become permanent appendages

@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

If their mating rituals couldn’t get any grosser, in some cases, the males permanently fuse to the females and get absorbed. It’s a vital biological component that pays off for both parties, with the females getting a constant supply of sperm, but it’s janky as hell.

The males soon enough lose their eyesight and essentially become part of their mate.

6. People love to eat them

Upon seeing the viral anglerfish video I just wanted to scoop her up and take her home. However, there are people out there who probably thought she looked like a tasty treat. Shallow-water anglerfish are a common delicacy in Japan, and even here in the UK, people enjoy monkfish all the time.

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Featured image credit: CBS News