On social media, many viewers were baffled as Gen Z was left in floods of tears over a bizarre-looking ‘demon fish’ that died while swimming on the surface.

A rare deep-sea anglerfish has left Gen Z in tears. The fish, often called a “black demon”, swam to the surface near Tenerife. It died shortly after, sparking an emotional reaction on social media.

Rare deep-sea fish spotted in Tenerife

Scientists recently discovered the anglerfish while researching marine life off the coast of Tenerife. The species, known as Melanocetus johnsonii, usually lives between 200 and 2,000 meters underwater. On social media, an image of the ‘demon fish’ was shared by David Jara Boguna, a researcher at Condrik Tenerife, creating an online wave. He called it a “legendary fish” that few people would ever see alive.

Social media mourns the fish’s tragic fate
After learning of its death, TikTok users became emotionally invested in the story.

On social media, many saw the fish’s journey as a metaphor for resilience. Kaleigh, a TikToker from Chicago, posted a tearful video that went viral. She imagined the fish’s final thoughts, asking:

Was she proud of herself?
Her video gained over 4.6 million views, with thousands sharing their sorrow in the comments.

Users connect with the fish’s struggle
Additionally, many Tiktokers also resonated with the fish’s symbolic journey toward the light. Some compared it to personal struggles.