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An Apex Dragon

A deep sea dragonfish found during Dive 674.
A deep sea dragonfish found during Dive 674. Image: ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute under CC BY-NC-SA

Don’t let the luminesce fool you: this dragonfish is actually one of the fiercest apex predators in the deep sea. Dragonfish are members of the family Stomiidae, and they’re equipped with massive jaws that contain incredibly sharp and transparent teeth. They’re also adept ambushers, often able to snatch up their prey without being noticed. This particular specimen was found on the southeastern flank of a still unexplored and unnamed seamount located near Chile.