Scientists have captured on video a rare deep sea anglerfish off the coast of California. It's probably only the sixth time in history this elusive creature has been filmed in its native habitat.

Scientists from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) were fortunate enough to come across a wayward anglerfish lurking some 2,000 feet below Monterey Canyon's surface. They hope this footage will shed more light about this ruthless yet still mysterious predator.

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Researchers and scientists alike have been regularly diving these regions in Monterey Canyon for 25 years and this is the third anglerfish they've spotted, said MBARI division chairman Bruce Robison.

The video shows how the ugly anglerfish moves around, swims and orients itself with gravity. Also called the black seadevil, the Melanocetus is a subspecies of the anglerfish that looks truly bizarre and has grotesque features for a sea creature.

Male anglerfish are typically smaller in size than alpha females, which have a dangling luminous orb suspended from a stalk attached to a forehead antenna.

Females use their bioluminescent light attract and catch prey such as smaller fish or squid. Their fierce, humungous jaws are lined with razor sharp teeth.

Not much is known about these abyssal sea creatures since they live in freezing water and in crushing depths. Scientists have always been eager to learn more about their life span and reproductive system.

This particular anglerfish is one of the most rarely seen deep sea creatures, said Robison. MBARI researchers captured this 3.5 inch long fish to examine and study it further.

The specimen is being kept in a dark tank in near freezing water similar to its habitat temperatures. Despite this, the anglerfish isn't expected to live long in these conditions.

This remarkable opportunity allows scientists to learn more about deep sea creatures. These fishes have adapted to low oxygen waters a more susceptible to climate change and warming temperatures as opposed to other aquatic creatures.

TagsRare Black Seadevil Caught on Camera for the First Time Under 2000 Feet, anglerfish, black seadevil, monterey bay california, US, MBARI, rare anglerfish black seadevil monterey canyon