Did you know that 80% of the deep ocean remains unmapped and unexplored? These are the 30 creepiest sea creatures we could find, but keep in mind that an estimated 90% of marine species are still waiting to be discovered and classified. So who knows what kind of scary species are waiting for us at sea?
1. Anglerfish
You know this guy from Nemo. The Anglerfish is famous for its enormous mouth, needle-like teeth, and bioluminescent lure dangling above its head.
2. Goblin Shark
The name “Goblin Shark” is well earned by this creature. Just look at him.
3. Giant Isopod
Don’t you feel it crawling down your spine right now?
4. Frilled Shark
Have you ever seen anything like those teeth? I’m shaking.
5. Vampire Squid
It’s creepy but it’s also kind of cute? I mean, it looks like it’s wearing a hat with ears or something. Cute.
6. Blobfish
The above image shows a blobfish in its natural habitat. The funny thing is that, when taken to the surface, the pressure alters its shape, turning it into, well, a blob.
7. Fangtooth Fish
Don’t let the above image scare you: the fangtooth fish only grows to a maximum length of 6.3–7 inches.
8. Oarfish
The oarfish is the world’s longest living species of bony fish, typically reaching lengths of 10 to 26 feet. This is the type of creature that inspires myths if you ask me.
9. Giant Squid
They are not called giant for nothing. The giant squid can grow to a maximum verified length of about 43 feet for females and roughly 33 to 36 feet for males
10. Dumbo Octopus
I’m so sorry. You came here looking for creepy and I show you this very cute Dumbo Octopus.
11. Stargazer
This weird-looking dude buries itself in the seafloor with only its eyes and mouth exposed, waiting to ambush prey. Smart, I guess.
12. Sarcastic Fringehead
Despite its funny name, this fish has an enormous mouth that it dramatically displays when threatened.
13. Sea Lamprey
Kind of looks like the sandworms in Dune to be honest.
14. Pacific Barreleye
Yes, this creature actually exists. Its transparent head reveals its tubular eyes and other internal structures, making it look almost alien.
15. Hagfish
These eel-shaped scavengers can produce enormous quantities of slime when threatened. Ew.
16. Black Swallower
As you can see, this small fish has an expandable stomach that allows it to swallow prey much larger than itself. Sounds like me on Thanksgiving.
17. Pelican Eel
Poor thing, looks so silly with its enormous mouth.
18. Sea Pig
OMG it’s pink. It does creep me out a bit though.
19. Basket Star
I know it looks like a plant but I swear it’s an animal.
20. Bobbit Worm
This colorful fellow hides beneath the sand and uses powerful jaws to ambush unsuspecting prey. It can be between 3 to 10 ft long.
21. Portuguese Man o’ War
This creature with a very weird name has extremely long tentacles capable of delivering painful stings.
22. Viperfish
It’s scary, yes, but you also have to admit that the fact that its fangs don’t fit in its mouth is quite funny too.
23. Dragonfish
These tiny predators have huge teeth and produce their own light in the darkness of the deep ocean. Very scary, and very pretty.
24. Deep-Sea Hatchetfish
Poor Deep-Sea Hatchetfish, it looks like the ghost of a fish.
25. Chimaera
They are also called “Ghost Sharks”, and to be honest I can see why.
26. Wolffish
This is the Wolffish, which looks scary but also kind of dumb.
27. Mantis Shrimp
This alien-looking colorful creature actually throws some strong punches.
28. Pyrosome
This bizarre colonial organism can form enormous, glowing, hollow tubes made up of thousands of tiny individual animals.
