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9 Scary Fish to Haunt Your Dreams

Jan 16, 2023 | 9 minute read Comments
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Reading Time: 9 minutes

The world is full of scary fish, from the infamous Piranhas of South America to Hollywood’s go-to killers: Sharks. There’s something about being in the water that fills people with fear. And looking at some of the things that live in it, we’re not surprised.

These spooky species take things to a whole new level of terror. Some are fearsome predators which devour anything in their path. Others are just so strange they were born to fill your nightmares. Each fish has its own signature something that sets it apart as one of the planet’s scariest sea creatures.

9. Sheepshead

A female angler holding a Sheepshead on a boat on a sunny day, Gulf of Mexico
“This doesn’t look so scary!” It will soon…

They say that the worst monster is the one you never notice. It sits there, in plain view, and one day you realize it’s absolutely terrifying. That’s definitely the case with Sheepshead. They’re a popular catch in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Atlantic. They’re also a common sight in fish markets and restaurants. But this seemingly-innocent food fish hides a horrible secret.

Fear Factor: Mutant Mouth

Face-on view of Sheepshead with mouth open, looking at teeth
Most fish don’t need a dental plan. Sheepshead does.

Take a look in a Sheepshead’s mouth, and you’ll find row after row of bizarrely human-like teeth. This freaky smile earned them their name. “Human teeth fish” probably didn’t sound scientific enough when they discovered it.

Is this the result of secret experiments? A voodoo curse? Toxic waste? Actually, Sheepshead are shellfish specialists who use their terrible chompers to crush their prey’s armor. We would tell you to stay away from their bite, but let’s be honest, you’re not going anywhere near that mouth.

8. Anglerfish

Brown Anglerfish camouflaged on the sea floor
Anglerfish look pretty creepy at the best of times

Commonly known as “Sea Devils,” Anglerfish are the archetypal horror of the deep. They lurk on the bottom, waiting for unsuspecting prey to come their way. Their mouths are so big they can eat fish almost as big as they are.

Anglerfish inhale their meals whole. If they’re too big, they tear into them with long, pointy fangs. If you’re a fish, you really don’t want to get close to them. But sometimes you just won’t be able to resist.

Fear Factor: Death Trap

Scary Anglerfish facing camera with mouth open in the dark
Turn out the lights, and Anglerfish enter a new world of terror!

Anglerfish get their name from the glowing “fishing rod” which hangs in front of their mouths. Deep-water fish are attracted to this like moths to a flame. Remember that scary fish in Finding Nemo? That’s an Angler. And yes, they’re every bit as horrifying as Pixar says.

Fish aren’t the only ones which fall into their trap – you may have eaten one of these monsters without even knowing. Anglerfish are often sold under a different name: Monkfish. They’re a delicacy in seafood restaurants and fish markets worldwide. Clearly, there’s a good reason they’re not normally served whole!

7. Blobfish

Three Blobfish lying next to each other
Blobfish have got to be the most aptly-named creature out there. (NOAA)

Blobfish are hands down the ugliest fish in the world. In fact, they’re the ugliest anything in the world. This ball of gloop looks so wrong, a lot of people didn’t even think it was real when pictures first started showing up. With its large nose and sad, droopy frown, the species has a nightmarishly cartoony feel to it.

The Blobfish’s sheer ugliness has made it something of a pop culture phenomenon. They’ve featured everywhere from internet memes to episodes of the X-Files. You can even buy Blobfish plush toys if you want to snuggle up with these grotesque goo balls.

Fear Factor: Melting Blob

Blobfish on a black background facing the camera
There’s ugly, there’s really ugly, then there’s Blobfish (Flikr, James Joel / CC BY-ND 2.0)

Blobfish aren’t exactly scary until you realize that they’re not supposed to look like this. They’re adapted to living deep underwater. They’ve got no bones and the only thing holding them together is the force of the water. When a Blobfish reaches the surface, their bodies can’t handle the lack of pressure. They “melt” into the blob of fat you normally see.

In fact, we don’t even know what Blobfish are supposed to look like. We’ve never photographed them in their natural habitat. They could be a perfectly normal fish until we bring them to the surface ‒ no wonder they look so sad!

6. Payara

A large Payara fish being held by an angler on a boat
People travel from far and wide to catch a Payara. We’d run the other way.

Found in the remote reaches of the Amazon Basin, the Payara is an apex predator which regularly eats fish half its size or bigger. They specialize in hunting in fast currents, but they can show up anywhere, from small streams to open lakes. Wherever they go, they’re at the top of the food chain.

The Payara is a relative of famous river monsters like Piranhas and Tigerfish. Strong pedigree for a scary fish. Payara more than live up to the family’s reputation, too. They’re strong and very aggressive. Because of this, they’re also a popular gamefish. They attract a fanatical following of freshwater anglers who travel from far and wide to take them on.

Fear Factor: Vampire Fangs

Close-up of the scary fish Payara showing long teeth
You need a lot of guts and some thick gloves to pick up a Payara

Payara are a type of Dogtooth Tetra, but they have another name that seems much more fitting: “Vampire Fish.” Payara have such long teeth – up to 6 inches – that they actually have to sheath them into their own heads to close their mouths. Nothing says “vampire” like hidden fangs.

The freaky thing about them is that at first glance they look a little like a Salmon. They’re the same shape and color and reach the same size – around 30 pounds. Now imagine one swimming towards you, only to open its gaping mouth and show off that deadly bite.

5. Frilled Shark

Frilled Shark in the dark
A Frilled Shark preserved for science. Scary science… (Wikipedia, Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0)

You can’t have a list of scary sea monsters without at least one Shark on it. That’s pretty much the law. But while all Sharks strike fear into our hearts, some species go above and beyond to scare us out of the water. The Frilled Shark is a classic example of this.

Frilled Sharks are the last of an ancient family which date all the way back to the Jurassic. We know very little about them, but what scientists have learned is enough to make us steer well clear of them. Frilled Sharks hunt by floating silently in the water, then coiling their bodies and lashing out like a snake. And that’s not even the worst part.

Fear Factor: 300 Teeth!

Frilled Shark open mouth, view of lower jaw with teeth
The Frilled Shark must spend half the day brushing its teeth. (Wikipedia, Kimse / CC BY-SA 2.5)

Look at that mouth. Why would anything need so many teeth? Frilled Sharks have around 300 barbed, backward-facing fangs that funnel food into its mouth. Once this monster gets hold of you, there’s no getting away.

Some experts think that they actually use their teeth to lure fish toward them. In the water, the Frilled Shark’s dull grey body is almost invisible, but their bright white teeth aren’t. Fish and Squid might be tricked into attacking the Shark’s mouth, mistaking it for prey. By the time they realize their mistake, it’s too late to escape.

4. Sarcastic Fringehead

Sarcastic Fringehead fish looking out of a hole in a reef
Yes, Sarcastic Fringehead always look this grumpy.

The Sarcastic Fringehead may look cute at first, but it’s highly territorial and extremely aggressive. They live in small holes or hollows in reefs and spend most of their time with just their head poking out. When something gets too close, they burst out and chase it out of their turf.

Sarcastic Fringehead seem to have no fear. They’re known to attack creatures much bigger than them. Even humans are sometimes harassed by them while diving around reefs. But what’s the big deal? It’s just a fish, right?

Fear Factor: Giant Jaws

Sarcastic Fringehead fish with large, open mouth
Say “Cheese!” (Wikipedia, Wikistudent348 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Nope. It’s not a fish. It’s a full-on sea monster. When it wants to scare off an intruder, it goes through a terrifying transformation. Its mouth splays open like the poison-spitting dinosaur from Jurassic Park. This is where the Sarcastic Fringehead gets its awesome name.

The Fringehead also uses its freaky mouth when hunting, enveloping fish and crustaceans whole. People have even recorded them trying to swallow whole octopus! Add in their incredible aggression and complete lack of fear, and they become very scary indeed, especially when they burst out at you from nowhere.

3. Northern Stargazer

Northern Stargazer fish swimming along the sea floor
Stargazers are fearsome hunters. They’re also pretty ugly.

Stargazers are a family of fish named for their upward-facing eyes. They live all over the world, including along the East Coast of the United States. They’re venomous and predatory and all-round unpleasant. You wouldn’t want one as a pet, that’s for sure.

There are a lot of ugly fish out there, though. Much more dangerous ones, too. What makes this one special? If they don’t look so bad, it’s because you’re seeing the whole thing. Like all great monsters, they’re at their scariest when you only catch a glimpse of them.

Fear Factor: The Face in the Sand!

Northern Stargazer face staring out of the sand
Stargazers love looking at the night’s sky. And at you, as you swim.

Stargazers are ambush hunters. They bury themselves in the sand with just their eyes poking out and wait for a fish to swim their way. When something gets close, they burst out and gobble it up before it even sees them coming. Then they disappear beneath the sand again. Sure sounds like a horror movie monster.

Imagine that next time you’re at the beach, and keep an eye out for a face staring up at you from the seafloor. Oh, and if you think you’re safe in the shallows, think again. These guys live in pretty much any depth of water. They show up every year in East Coast tourist spots like Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach.

2. Lamprey

Lamprey fish on rocks underwater
“Aw, look at it!” Just you wait, you’ll be screaming soon.

Predators are scary, sure, but nothing sends chills down your spine like a parasite. Even the word can get your hair standing on end. And Lampreys are the worst of them all. They’re ancient, hardy, and incredibly versatile. Saltwater or freshwater, lakes or rivers, shallows or depths ‒ they thrive in every environment. They even climb waterfalls as they head inland to mate. Nowhere’s safe.

Lampreys prey on fish, sucking the life out of them like a vampire and leaving round, oozing wounds that refuse to heal. They’ve been known to attack swimmers in the past, too. But the true horror is how they do it.

Fear Factor: Living Drill

A close up of Lamprey mouth underwater
Lampreys really are the stuff of nightmares

Lampreys have a unique way of feeding. They attach themselves to their host with a sucking mouth and a ring of teeth. Once they’ve latched on, they bore into it with a barbed tongue and drain its blood. Picture the double-mouthed monster from “Alien” and you have a fair idea of how it works.

As if that wasn’t enough, they also secrete anticoagulants – blood thinners. The host doesn’t stand a chance and even after Lampreys move on, fish struggle to recover. We can’t overstate how horrible these guys are.

1. Goblin Shark

Pink Goblin Shark lying on a wooden floor
Calling this a “Goblin Shark” really isn’t fair to goblins. (Imgur, Unknown)

Everything about the Goblin Shark fish screams insanity. Its long nose gives it a hellish unicorn look. Its pink flesh makes it look like it’s got no skin. You can see how people used to believe in dragons and sea monsters when there are creatures like this out there.

As if all that wasn’t enough, this is the biggest fish on our list by far. For years, scientists thought they maxed out at around 13 feet. That was until 2000, when a giant female over 20 feet long was caught in the Gulf of Mexico. We still have no real idea just how big they’re capable of getting.

Fear Factor: Ballistic Bite

Goblin Shark eating a Red fish
Once you’ve seen a Goblin Shark eating, nothing else will scare you in the same way. (NHK)

Goblin Sharks are slow swimmers. They don’t chase their prey down. Instead, they hang silently in the water and use their noses to sense a fish’s electrical waves. When a fish gets close enough, the Goblin Shark’s jaws catapult right out from their mouth and snap shut, slicing into it or devouring it whole.

The Goblin Shark has a lot going for it in the horror department. It’s the perfect combination of everything that makes the ocean scary: big Sharks, grotesque monsters, and sharp teeth shooting toward you out of the dark.

And So Many More Scary Fish!

New species are always being discovered, and the deeper we look, the weirder they get. Who knows what’s still lurking down there? One thing’s for sure, there are more than a few monsters waiting for us.

What’s your most frightening fishing encounter? Which scary fish do you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below!

Comments (169)
  • abraham

    Apr 25, 2023

    the sheepshead bite my finger when I was swimming now I don´t have a finger.

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  • Picori

    Mar 28, 2023

    There is also a type of fish (forgot the name) but people used to eat the brains of this fish, that was before they learned that the insides of the fish is extremely toxic and will give anything that eats it extreme hallucinations

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      Tanya

      Mar 29, 2023

      Hi Picori,
      Thanks for reading our blog and chipping in.
      It’s true. There is actually more than one fish with hallucinogenic effects. Sarpa Salpa is one of those fish that can cause hallucinations that last for days when consumed. While not scary looking, it can be pretty wild if you end up eating it.

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  • Jose Jacome (fisherman)

    Feb 3, 2023

    Yo, check this one out in the future might catch your interest since it’s the scariest in the world rn it’s called the Dunkleosteus. This 33-foot-long armored fish from the Devonian era lacked teeth, but its jaw contained razor-sharp protrusions of bone that it could use to pierce and cut through its prey.

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      Tanya

      Feb 3, 2023

      They were quite a sight! We must say we’re sort of relieved they’re the thing of the past 😉

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      Aidan

      Mar 2, 2023

      Or are they things from the past 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

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      sofia

      Mar 28, 2023

      I was almost biten by a sea lamprey.

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  • Mick

    Dec 17, 2022

    I don’t find the blobfish scary I actually feel sorry for it it looked so sad 😢😢

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      I dont care

      Dec 22, 2022

      Yeah same

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  • grace wisner

    Nov 30, 2022

    wow and i thought piranhas were scary

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      mr poopy butt head

      Feb 28, 2023

      their not

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  • Cristian Legend

    Nov 5, 2022

    I know of a few scary animals. To me, fangtooths are pretty scary looking. I also think goosefishes are scary looking. Gnooches are scary once you’ve seen how big of a catfish they are and their big mouth is full of spiky teeth. There have been reports of them eating humans, too! But the most scary of them all is the Black Swallower. They are small, but they have huge bellies that can swallow animals twice its size!

    Bonus: Tiger Fish (they are off the chart!……)

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      Tanya

      Nov 7, 2022

      That’s one genuinely haunting list, Christian!
      Our Scary Fish blog just jumped from being scary to being blood-curdling!
      Thanks for pitching in.

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      Jose Jacome (fisherman)

      Feb 3, 2023

      Meh I’ve seen worse/better/scarier lol.

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      hihi

      Apr 19, 2023

      what are they

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  • deatheater

    Sep 29, 2022

    what got me was the goblin shark and the fringe head and the stargazer reminded me how i saw a little face like that on the beach in the sand but was on land

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  • Rico Sanchez

    Sep 4, 2022

    I saw this fish long, long time ago when I was a kid and it scared me so much. I didn’t know what this fish was before, but then I found out it is Wolf Eel. Surprised it didn’t make your list.

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      Vuk

      Sep 5, 2022

      Hey Rico,

      Thanks for getting in touch and pointing out a new scary contender for our list. We’ll definitely keep them in mind for the future!

      Tight lines

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  • Boop

    Sep 2, 2022

    Only one will give me nightmare is the prey fish thingy

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      Lisa

      Sep 2, 2022

      Hi Boop,

      Lisa here. Which one is the prey fish? Perhaps you’re talking about Viperfish? These are pretty creepy.

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      Eden

      Jan 17, 2023

      This gave me nightmares for 6 weeks straight!!😱

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  • Aloe

    Jul 30, 2022

    HOW IS ANY OF THIS SCARY!!!

    thanks for trying but my thalassiphobia doesn’t really kick in until I’m in or around the water,these guys are relatively cute…

    Except the sheepshead that’d ugly.

    (Sry if that’s offensive to someone out there😬)

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      Tanya

      Aug 1, 2022

      Hey, you might be onto something! 😉 I find Stargazers super spooky, but I can see how they might not be intimidating in an isolated context. It’s way scarier when you’re actually in the water and you know these lurk below. Do you have a spine-chilling fish of your own to share with us?

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  • Daniel

    Jun 15, 2022

    Ayo this isn’t that scary. These are ugly.

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      Tanya

      Jun 15, 2022

      Hey Daniel,
      You’re absolutely right, they’re far from pretty! 🙂
      But if Stargazer and Anglerfish don’t give you the shivers, you’re braver than us 😀

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  • Ник

    May 27, 2022

    I really hate it when people call blobfish ugly. The only thing that make them like that is the extreme change in pressure when being pulled up. Blobfish are really beautiful in their natural habitat.

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      Andriana

      May 27, 2022

      Hi Nik,

      You’re right, Blobfish look very different when they’re in their natural habitat, especially given the fact that they live at depths between 2,000-4,000 feet. When you get them up to the surface, they can look scary, especially if you’ve never seen one. At their native depths, they do look like regular fish and they are beautiful in their own way.

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Nik.

      All the best!

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      Big mac

      Jun 1, 2022

      WHY DID I CALL LIKE HALF OF THEM ADORABLE!

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  • Bradley

    Mar 16, 2022

    That is the stuff of nightmares! Including the bite of the goblin shark!

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      Potao

      Apr 26, 2022

      The gobilln shark gave me chills down my spine! I had a thought of one trying to eat me!

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      Max

      May 27, 2022

      I think lampreys are the worst!

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      Fred

      Oct 1, 2022

      Agreed

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  • Poop

    Mar 6, 2022

    I-I BRO THE HECK!? THIS IS GOING TO GIVE ME NIGHTMARES

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      Hey poop I agree with you, I am going to get nightmares. AHHHHHHHHHHH!

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      jxss.bear_ from tiktok

      Apr 27, 2022

      PLEASE WTH THIS IS LEAVING ME A NIGHTMARE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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      pooper

      May 12, 2022

      amazing nightmares

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  • Katy

    Jan 12, 2022

    We have some strange looking creatures in our oceans for sure. Cool article. 😎

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      Marko

      Jan 12, 2022

      Hi Katy,

      Thanks for reading. I agree, they’re definitely weird but also incredibly fascinating!

      Tight lines,

      Marko

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      Yeah totally I like 1 million horrifying fish in the ocean!!!!!!

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  • Gabe

    Dec 31, 2021

    The frilled and the goblin sharks were only kind of scary

    Ps:I’m nine years old and I love blob fish

    Peace and peace out ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

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      Lisa

      Jan 3, 2022

      Hi Gabe,

      I completely agree with you, those are the scariest for me, too. Have you seen any of them in real life?

      Lisa ✌🏻

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      ?????

      Jan 6, 2022

      Lol I agree with all of you guys I’m 12 and love fringeheads!

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      !!!!!!!!!

      Mar 21, 2022

      its like the predator with its mouth open

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      I’ve seen some in real life.

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      Potato

      Apr 26, 2022

      I bet that was teriffing!

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      George

      Jan 10, 2022

      the only thing that creep me out was the goblin shark it also did disgust me out PS I saw blobfish meam it was too funny

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      The blob fish was like way too funny but The goblin shark was horrifying.

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      potato

      May 2, 2022

      blobfish are ugly but not scary. PS it’s meme not meam.

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      potato

      May 2, 2022

      I’m ten and i saw the Lamprey and it was amazing! How can something so cute turn out to be a nightmare!

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  • fridayrack

    Dec 9, 2021

    Yeah i think so

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  • Miles Fulton

    Dec 5, 2021

    None was scary. By the way, I love marine animals.

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      Rhys

      Dec 6, 2021

      Hi Miles,

      Thanks for reading and for your comment. I also love marine animals but some of these creatures certainly spooked me! You’re obviously made of tougher stuff!

      Tight lines,

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      #savethesea

      Dec 16, 2021

      I love marine animals too!

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      TanqR

      Dec 17, 2021

      This is cool stuff

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  • Madeline

    Oct 12, 2021

    The frilled shark its baggy skin looks weird like a granny shark. I’m in 8th grade and I’m really into marine life. I might consider some sort of marine occupation

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      Katie

      Oct 13, 2021

      Hi Madeline,

      We agree on the Frilled Shark! It’s a very strange (but awesome) creature. “Granny Shark” is a spot-on description!

      That’s great to hear that you’re considering working with marine life in the future. It sounds like you’re taking all the right steps to go in this direction. We wish you the best of luck!

      Tight lines,

      Katie

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      I’m in 1st grade and most of those animals weren’t that scary.

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      Goblin Shark supporter

      Mar 29, 2022

      These are adorable, not creepy! My fave is the goblin shark!

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  • Jabujid siblings

    Oct 4, 2021

    The. Stargazer really freak me out

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      Andriana

      Oct 4, 2021

      Hi there!

      I agree completely, Stargazer isn’t a fish you ever want to meet up close. For some people, it’s the fact they’re venomous that’s scary, but it’s the eyes that lurk from beneath the sand that does it for me. You just don’t want to mess with this fish.

      All the best!

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      Emery

      May 10, 2022

      Honestly, it’s neither of those things that really do it for me (though they do contribute a generous amount.) It’s mainly two things; The first one is that it literally tries to eat anything that tries to go in front of it, AND the fact that it is in popular spots like Myrtle Beach & Virginia beach. (The way it can thrive in any amount of shallowness really sells it for me to be honest.)

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      Tanya

      May 11, 2022

      So true. That fish has some serious bone-chilling vibe!

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  • Zachary

    Oct 1, 2021

    Who do you think is the scariest one??? Leave a comment below. Or you can tell none of them, none of them were scary and I saw all of them before.

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      zyness

      Jan 19, 2022

      frilled shark and I love them but just imagine glowing eyes with 300 teeth appearing in front of you in the dark

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      Booty

      Mar 12, 2022

      I think maybe goblin shark was scariest.

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      potato

      May 2, 2022

      It was the fringehead that did it for me. agressive much.=_=. also the ghost shark is spooky to it dosen’t even have pupils but it can still see!

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  • Zack

    Oct 1, 2021

    Hello, I’m new to this app I am in 5th grade studying fish.

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      Andriana

      Oct 4, 2021

      Hello Zack,

      Welcome to our blog and kudos for learning more about fish. If you need any help, feel free to send us your questions and we’ll try to help.

      Happy studying!

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  • jato

    Jul 22, 2021

    Okay I got to admit the fringehead totally freaked me out when it stuck its little face out to scream at people to go away. Talk about grumpy. I am truly not a violent person but my first reaction was that I seriously wanted to just stab it in its freaky little face. I totally wigged out. I kept wondering when the cookie cutter shark was going to show up and then I saw the lamprey and the Lamprey definitely beats the cookie cutter shark. Cookie cutters are sneaky little beggars too but at least they just take a chunk off you by spinning in a circle to shave it off. They even do it to other sharks. However they don’t inject you with anything and don’t try to suck all the blood out of you. I hear it still hurts like no tomorrow when the cookie cutter takes a chunk out of you….. you’ll never get that chunk back. Hey new weight loss program….. uuuhhh…totally kidding! please don’t go to Hawaii and try to lose weight by swimming with cookie cutter sharks….live safely 😁

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      Katie

      Jul 22, 2021

      Hi Jato,

      You’re right, some of the fish on this list are seriously freaky 😂 We’re glad you enjoyed the article – and thanks for your Cookie Cutter Shark tips!

      Tight lines,

      Katie

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      Cutie gaming

      Sep 19, 2021

      theese are freaky

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      Zach

      Oct 1, 2021

      True the 1 that I was confused about was the one that said “Aw, look at it!” Just you wait, you’ll be screaming soon.”

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      juneploon

      Oct 3, 2021

      lol

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  • zeraun

    Jul 21, 2021

    not scare to me.

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  • Ella LOL

    Jul 13, 2021

    The goblin shark was so weird but that one guy was rite the sheepshead was so cute I froggot all the names pretty much but yea the one that scares me the most is the sand one I thought it was normal till I saw its face in the sand I was so scared the finger head also scared me the giant jawthe lamprey is mhh sorta scary I mean idk but the mouth ew the frilled shark 8s a little scarey still idk but whoever posted this ty I enjoyed this alotvty again

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      Andriana

      Jul 13, 2021

      Hi Ella,

      I’m glad you enjoyed the article! You’re absolutely right, each of these fish has a different “fear factor,” in the end, I think that seeing any of these species live would make us jumpy, to say the least.

      All the best!

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  • Cyrus

    Jun 26, 2021

    The Goblin shark is not scary to me

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      Albert

      Jun 28, 2021

      Hi Cyrus,

      Each to their own, I guess. Which ones did you find scary?

      All the best!

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  • Mandy

    Jun 1, 2021

    My fav fish is the angler fish

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  • Unkown

    Jun 1, 2021

    Bro the blob fish is ugly

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      unknown

      Jul 14, 2021

      same
      lol
      the gerald is very scary

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  • Jay Jonhson

    May 21, 2021

    none of the fish scared me

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      Unkown

      Jun 1, 2021

      yea right

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  • Jean Watts

    Apr 21, 2021

    The Lamprey And Sheepshead Look Cute.

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      Linda

      Jun 12, 2021

      Sheepshead are good eating.

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  • Tatnai

    Apr 5, 2021

    The death trap is scary it freaked me out.

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  • Lol master

    Mar 24, 2021

    When the Fringe fish opens its jaws it kinda looks like the Predator

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      Eli

      Apr 22, 2021

      it kinda do thou ngl

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      harley mash

      Apr 29, 2021

      this fish is so very scary

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      Trie

      Jun 13, 2021

      It honestly was too much for me

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      Kealua

      Jun 26, 2021

      Lol yes 🙌🏼
      That made my day 😀

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  • Taygen

    Mar 1, 2021

    the goblin shark scared me but odin made me happy

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      kaeleen rivera

      Mar 26, 2021

      omg the way the goblin shark ate its prey scared the heck out of me

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      Jacob M. A.

      Apr 26, 2021

      Yea scary and also cool

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      reese.m

      Jun 5, 2021

      me to it was the stuff of nightmares i did not sleep the night after seeing the way its mouth open like rubber

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  • collin

    Feb 4, 2021

    blob fish are ugly.

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      Ash

      Feb 24, 2021

      They are cute

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      Sky

      Mar 4, 2021

      Ya they are cute but I get why some people might think they are ugly

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      mela

      Mar 25, 2021

      frr they cute asf

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      Makialee Garnett Osborne

      Mar 23, 2021

      I agree they are bootiful

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      Kealua

      Jun 26, 2021

      Lol, that is Miranda Sings, 😂 💄

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      Kealua

      Jun 26, 2021

      You are an American hero 🏆

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      marissa

      May 21, 2021

      I mean yes they kinda look like people a lil bit if you look at the pic

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  • chelsea

    Jan 26, 2021

    woaaah the fear factor goes”peek a boo”ishook and ewww face but
    have to admit,the bloobs really scary.

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      Albert

      Jan 26, 2021

      Hi Chelsea,

      A surprising amount of people here seem to find Blobfish cute. Each to their own, eh?

      All the best!

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      amari

      May 20, 2021

      wrong blob fish cute but the lamprey is a drill that lives and it will not be good if it bite

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      Rhys

      May 21, 2021

      Hi Amari,

      Thanks for reading! As Albert said, each to their own when it comes to Blobfish! But at least we’re all in agreement that the Lamprey sends shivers down our spines!

      Tight lines,

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      rhys.m

      Jun 5, 2021

      hey my name is rhys from wales to.

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      Rhys

      Jun 7, 2021

      Hi Rhys,

      Always good to hear from a fellow Welshman – and a namesake at that! Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy our blog.

      Pob hwyl!

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      Layla

      Jun 26, 2021

      I totally agree, everyone has their own opinions

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      Sarah

      Feb 3, 2021

      The really scary sea creature was the Goblin Shark, Those scary teeth 0-0″

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      i love creepiest things

      Apr 22, 2021

      ya i agree the blob fish are cute their also my brothers spirit animal btw i really liked the paray and the northen star gazer

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  • Katie

    Jan 21, 2021

    Wow the living drill scared me to death, I screamed so loud that my mom came running = D

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      Albert

      Jan 22, 2021

      Hi Katie,

      That’s exactly what we were aiming for! 😀

      All the best!

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  • sylvia

    Oct 26, 2020

    for me blobfish is not scary its cute!

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      Albert

      Oct 26, 2020

      Hi Sylvia,

      You’re not the only one – a surprising amount on people find these blubbery beasts cute!

      I guess they’re so ugly that you kind of have to love them.

      All the best!

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      annoymus

      Nov 30, 2020

      how do u even find this pics they look so fake. ( not that they are ) its just like the goblin shark it so scary right. the blobfish is like jello. i cant believe t melts.

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      Albert

      Dec 1, 2020

      Hi there,

      Yup, there sure are some crazy things in the ocean – and this is just the half of them!

      All the best!

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      Etha

      Apr 13, 2021

      Bloobfish do not look like this when deep underwater. This creature uses the pressure for the deep seas to make itself look better, when you take it out of the water, they start to loose their shape!!

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      Cambria

      Jan 17, 2021

      Hell yeah I looked up pictures of it underwater and it looked so much more different It’s just like a giant think of jello sadly they are eaten.

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      Lana Gonzales

      Jan 18, 2021

      I agree with you both!Blobfish are harmless and look so chunky and cute

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      Mark

      May 4, 2021

      I hate to tell you this but any blobfish taken out of the water dies in like 1 sec

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  • nono

    Oct 22, 2020

    Cool blob fish there

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  • Samson

    Oct 9, 2020

    The scariest one was the big mouth one

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      Albert

      Oct 12, 2020

      Hi Samson,

      Yeah, the Fringehead is one seriously scary species. The fact that they’re super aggressive only makes them more terrifying!

      Thanks for getting in touch!

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      bennett

      Mar 23, 2021

      they look grumpy

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  • I am a Professional

    Oct 2, 2020

    Have you ever seen a basking shark? They’re not too dangerous but imagine turning around and seeing the jaw wide open.

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      Albert

      Oct 2, 2020

      Hi there,

      Sadly, I’ve never seen a Basking Shark, although it’s definitely a dream of mine.

      That being said, the thought of turning around and seeing one swimming toward you open-mouthed is pretty terrifying!

      All the best!

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  • EeEe

    Oct 2, 2020

    Used this for inktober but was not expecting so much….Thanks

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      Albert

      Oct 2, 2020

      Hi there,

      Wow, I’m sure you could make some real scary sketches out of these guys. Would love to see them when you’re done!

      All the best!

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  • Gusty Wind

    Sep 13, 2020

    While I was reading the list I was wondering where the goblin shark was at! I’ve heard of them, and they’ve scared me ever since I saw the first pic! I’m not surprised they made it to the top of the list. Also, “Calling it a goblin shark is unfair to goblins.” Made me laugh so hard! Maybe it should have been called “Mutant unicorn alien shark” instead!

    Btw, I didn’t think the vampire fish should’ve gotten such a high place, although it did have scary teeth, it didn’t seem special, like scary in it’s own way. But I still wouldn’t wanna encounter a fish like that!

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      Albert

      Sep 14, 2020

      Hi Gusty,

      Thanks for getting in touch. I’m glad you enjoyed the article!

      I guess the thing that’s scary about the Vampire Fish is how aggressive it is, as well as its hidden fangs. It’s probably the species from this list I’d least like to come across while swimming.

      The Goblin Shark has still got to take first place, though!

      All the best!

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  • Marley

    Sep 12, 2020

    My mom almost never gets I. the ocean, only to her feet. I never knew why until I read this outloud to her, and she told me one of the reasons she never gets in is because she’s actually seen a goblin fish eating before right in front of her eyes when she was swimming into he ocean!!!

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      Albert

      Sep 14, 2020

      Hi Marley,

      Wow, she must be one of the only people to have seen on in person! They normally live super deep underwater, so you can tell her she doesn’t need to worry.

      Stargazers on the other hand – they’ll get ya! 😉

      All the best!

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  • Andre

    Aug 2, 2020

    A little late but: Nice article!

    The Sarcastic Fringe head really would scare me. Imagine snorkling around peacefully looking at the landscape and out of nowhere a dog head like thing shoots straight at you!

    My best was a 90cm pike. Our boat drifted towards the shore and it hid in the tang there. Was quite a surprise that it bit like when I literally dipped my sinker next to the boat, putting my rod almost down. I could see it biting…

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      Sean

      Aug 3, 2020

      Hi Andre,

      Thanks for sharing!

      I can imagine – a surprise encounter with a Pike will make anyone’s heart jump. Seeing its serpent-like head up close can really be scary, especially considering their pulling power. On the other hand, those fish can really be fun to catch!

      As for the Fringehead, we’re pretty sure that one encounter would make us retire from snorkeling on the spot.

      Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

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  • Teirra

    Jul 19, 2020

    I enjoyed this informative article. Even though it made my flesh crawl a bit.

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      Albert

      Jul 20, 2020

      Hi Teirra,

      Sounds like we achieved what we set out for, then!

      Glad you enjoyed it!

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  • ri-ri

    Jul 10, 2020

    I love all animals so none of the fish were scary

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      Albert

      Jul 13, 2020

      Hi Ri-Ri,

      Thanks for getting in touch.

      I like the positive attitude! I still wouldn’t want to get on the business end of a Payara, though.

      All the best!

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  • Henry

    Jun 29, 2020

    Aww, that dried goblin shark picture doesn’t do it justice either lol.

    Cute animals!

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      Albert

      Jun 30, 2020

      Hi Henry,

      You’re right, we were a little unfair on the Goblin Shark with our choice of photo – it was just too good to not use.

      I’m not sure cute is the word I’d use, though!

      All the best!

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      yuri

      Oct 21, 2020

      i mean i still think those lil tiny fringehead and stargazers are adorable…

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      Albert

      Oct 22, 2020

      Hi Yuri,

      The question is, would they seem adorable if they were staring up at you while you were snorkeling?

      All the best!

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  • Christina

    Jun 7, 2020

    And this is why I don’t swim in the ocean! I don’t even like walking around in the shallow end. This is terrifying.

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      Albert

      Jun 9, 2020

      Hi Christina,

      Yup, they’re pretty freaky. Don’t worry though, most of them are completely harmless to people.

      Either that, or nobody’s lived to tell the tale…

      All the best!

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  • linyi

    Jun 2, 2020

    so creepy i am going to have a nightmare

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      Albert

      Jun 3, 2020

      Hi Linyi,

      Yup there are some crazy things in the ocean – and these are just the ones we know about!!

      Luckily, most fish are delicious, so we’ll have to forgive the occasional oddball.

      All the best!

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  • michelle

    Jun 1, 2020

    blobfish is cute

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      Sean

      Jun 1, 2020

      Hi Michelle,

      Yup, that’s one word for it, I guess.

      To us, it looks more like a Star Wars movie villain.

      Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

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      Jay

      Sep 24, 2020

      I know right?

      It looks like that slime dude

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      James

      Oct 30, 2020

      SCP-666 in fish form!

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      TK The Tuna

      Dec 17, 2020

      I’m a tuna, but now I know that there are more interesting fish out there.
      Blobfish is cute but the Goblin Shark’s name does seem really offensive to goblins!

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      Albert

      Dec 18, 2020

      Hi TK,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re all big fans of Tuna here so it’s great to hear from one in person (or I guess, “in fish”).

      Ever met any crazy creatures while exploring the oceans?

      All the best!

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  • Jennifer Lenz

    May 31, 2020

    Great video very very scary!

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      Sean

      Jun 1, 2020

      That Goblin Shark looks like something out of this world, doesn’t it?

      Thanks for reading, Jennifer.

      Have a good one!

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      John

      Jan 15, 2021

      it lives in the deep

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      Albert

      Jan 15, 2021

      Hi John,

      That makes them sound very Lovecraftian. I like it!

      All the best!

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  • Kayla

    May 19, 2020

    Not gonna lie but all of them are kind of scary because if i had them in my room i would throw them out f my room.

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      Albert

      May 19, 2020

      Hi Kayla,

      You’d have to be pretty brave to want to pick up a Blobfish or throw a Shark!

      I hope you enjoyed the article.

      All the best!

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      marissa hill

      Aug 14, 2020

      i total agree with you

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      🦋🦋Brianna🦋🦋

      Dec 11, 2020

      Yeah I agree with you so much

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      Julian

      Jan 5, 2022

      I would hate to touch a ball of living goop.

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      Cougar Marcy

      Oct 18, 2020

      I totally agree i mean who would want a living drill in there room

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      Sophia

      Nov 12, 2020

      the goblin shark is the scariest! i’m like- bye bye im out

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      rick

      Nov 13, 2020

      cool thx for your effort the HAUNT MEEEEEE!!!

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      Sherman

      Nov 17, 2020

      next time I see voldermort or the goblin shark, I’m gonna announce them as brothers!

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      yourchildhood

      Jan 12, 2021

      what about Nosferatu tho, they really are close with that nose of theirs. especially grus.

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      Albert

      Jan 13, 2021

      Hi there,

      Do you mean these guys? They look pretty normal to me.

      All the best!

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