A rare and elusive species of deep-sea fish has been captured on camera off the coast of California.
With its pitch black skin, a mouth full of sharp teeth and a face that wouldn't look amiss in a horror movie, the appropriately named black seadevil is rarely seen despite its distinctive appearance.
Typically found in temperate waters, the fish lures in its prey using a unique luminescent 'fishing pole' that dangles above its head.
Now a research time diving in Monterey Bay has managed to capture this bizarre species on film for the first time.
"We've been diving out here in the Monterey Canyon regularly for 25 years, and we've seen three," said MBARI Senior Scientist Bruce Robinson. The team even managed to catch the creature for further study however it isn't clear how long it will survive.
The video footage they recorded of the fish can be viewed below.