“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown”-H.P. Lovecraft

With the oceans covering around 70% of the Earth’s surface, they serve as a natural habitat for countless species. Surprisingly, we have only fully explored a mere 20%, leaving a vast 80% uncharted. This fact alone can be quite unsettling, as it implies the existence of numerous unknown and never-before-seen creatures. Scientists continually uncover new deep-sea species each year, shedding light on the mysteries of the ocean and revealing its increasingly eerie nature. Consequently, every time a new deep-sea creature is discovered, it only reinforces my Thalassophobia—the fear of the ocean. If you’re skeptical, feel free to scroll down, as I’ve curated a list of ten recently found sea creatures that are bound to give you spine-chilling goosebumps. (Consider it my top ten reasons to harbor a dislike for the ocean.)

1. Pineapple fish

Image source: Richard Ling

To kick off our list, let’s begin with something that doesn’t appear straight out of a horror movie. This fish earned its unique name due to its striking coloration. What sets this species apart is its fascinating talent for emitting a green light from its mouth, which gradually turns red as the fish grows older. While it occasionally explores deeper waters, it predominantly resides in the shallow coastal reefs. Once again, Australia serves as the primary home for this remarkable creature.

2. Dumbo octopus

Image source: NOAA Okeanos Explorer

Take a glance at this octopus‘s prominent ear-like features, and you’ll understand how it earned its name. These fascinating creatures are typically located at depths of up to 13,000 feet, making them a rare sight. Their diet primarily consists of snails, worms, and other small invertebrates that inhabit the same depths. Interestingly, their limbs are relatively compact and equipped with webbing, allowing them to swim with remarkable agility, surpassing the average speed of a typical octopus.

3. A transparent creature

Image source: Trending and Viral News

Confusion spread among viewers as a video surfaced online, showcasing an intriguing translucent creature being held by someone. This tiny being possessed complete transparency, allowing light to effortlessly pass through it. The exact species remained a mystery until a similar older video emerged, featuring a person handling a creature known as Cystisoma. These unique organisms reside at depths of 600 to 1,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, thriving in dimly lit environments.

Get ready, because things are about to take a bizarre turn—yes, it’s going to get really, really strange from here on out.

4. Barreleye fish

Image source: Kim Reisenbichler

Now, let’s move on to something that is undeniably creepy (and don’t fret, we’re not even close to finishing yet). This particular fish possesses a transparent dome on its head, revealing two eerie green orbs within. It’s this distinct feature that sets it apart. These unusual eyes are perfectly suited for its habitat in the ocean’s twilight zone, where natural light begins to fade. In this dim environment, the fish can skillfully detect the silhouettes of its unsuspecting prey, allowing it to launch surprise attacks. Despite its small size, measuring only 15 cm in length, researchers have found that it primarily feeds on zooplankton, as evidenced by the contents of its stomach.

5. Atlantic sturgeon

Image source: Assateague Island National Seashore

Belonging to the now-extinct Acipenseridae family, this unique type of sturgeon stands out due to its extraordinary feature: instead of conventional scales, it boasts five rows of sturdy bone plates. These plates serve as protective armor, guarding the creature against potential dangers. Consequently, when this particular sturgeon washed ashore, it managed to evade immediate consumption by a flock of birds, thanks to its resilient defense mechanism.

6. Footballfish

Image source: KKPCW

The footballfish first caught scientists’ attention in 1985 when deep-sea fishermen in California accidentally captured one. These fascinating creatures employ an extension on their head, resembling a fishing rod, to attract and capture their prey. It’s worth noting that female footballfish can grow up to ten times larger than their male counterparts. Living at depths of 2,000 to 3,300 feet below the ocean’s surface, where food sources are scarce, this fish has adapted to consume anything that fits in its mouth.

7. Whatever did this to this poor tuna (Warning: trypophobic image)

Image source: Trapman Bermagui

After a skilled fisherman successfully caught this tuna, they made a startling discovery—numerous large bite marks covered the creature’s body. What set these bites apart was their unusually rounded shape, leading many to conclude that they couldn’t have been inflicted by another fish or shark. Trampman Bermagui, the person who caught the tuna, confidently identified the culprit as none other than the Cookie-cutter shark. This particular shark has a peculiar feeding habit of taking massive bites out of its prey without killing them (ouch!). Such sadistic behavior makes it a creature I’d rather never encounter while swimming again.

8. Deep sea shark

Image source: Trapman Bermagui

The eyes of this rough-skinned shark speak volumes, and none of the messages they convey are friendly. Trapman Bermagui, an Australian individual, encountered this menacing creature at a depth of 650 meters (and perhaps should have left it right where it belonged). Although many initially mistook it for a cookie-cutter shark, Trapman clarified that it was, in fact, a different species known as the Endeavor dog shark. He explained that they captured this shark during the winter season.

9. Pacific viperfish

Image source: David Csepp

This particular species, commonly referred to as Sloane’s viperfish, can be easily recognized by its elongated, fang-like teeth. Its body is initially adorned with a dark silver-blue hue, accompanied by pigmented patches in a distinctive hexagonal shape along the sides. During the day, this fish resides at depths ranging from 500 to 2,500 meters beneath the ocean’s surface. However, as night falls, it migrates to shallower waters, typically staying within depths of less than 600 meters. Primarily found in Australian waters, this species sustains itself by preying on smaller fish to ensure its survival.

10. Atolla jellyfish

Image source: Siegel, Volker

This creature seemed to have emerged straight out of a nightmarish realm, and no one could convince me otherwise. This particular jellyfish, commonly known as a crown jelly, holds a special position within its family, as it appears to wear a miniature crown atop its head. Its distinguishing feature is its vibrant red coloration, which remains hidden in the deep, lightless waters. Remarkably, this jellyfish can camouflage itself from predators at depths exceeding 1,000 meters, appearing entirely black in that environment.