10 Creepy and Gruesome-Looking Sea Creatures

Sarcastic Fringehead

The sarcastic fringehead lives off the northeast coast of the Pacific Ocean and is often referred to as a tube benny. They mostly live in burrows or tube-like structures. Some have even been found to live in soda bottles. Most creatures are known to be territorial, and the sarcastic fringeheads are no different. The males are more likely to be the ones protecting their homes, so this is why females usually lay their eggs in the males’ burrows.

Northern Stargazer

The real name of the northern stargazer is Astroscopus gottatus, but it is also known as the Popeye fish. Living primarily on the ocean floor, this is by far one of the strangest-looking fish. They have large heads with flat foreheads and spotted flat bodies. Their nostrils, eyes, gill slits, and most of their mouths are found on top of their heads. In addition to its odd looks, this fish also breathes through its nostrils rather than bringing water in through its mouth—a very unfishlike characteristic.

Deep Sea Dragonfish

The deep sea dragonfish lives in deep waters at about 5,000 feet in depth. They are located mainly in the north and western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. By far the most gruesome-looking fish with a long slender body. In addition, they have sharp fang-like teeth. Although the black dragonfish looks intimidating, they can only grow to be about six inches. Usually, the males are much smaller than the females. Because the deep sea dragonfish lives so deep in the water, not much is known about their mating habits.

Gulper Eel

The gulper eel is one unnatural-looking sea creature, mostly found in the tropical, temperate ocean. Known for its wide mouth, one of the gulper eel’s nicknames is “umbrella mouth.” Its mouth is larger than the eel’s entire body. It is loosely hinged and can open wide enough to swallow its prey whole. The prey is then kept into the lower jaw of the gulper eel’s mouth, which resembles something like a pelican’s mouth.

Fangtooth Fish

The fangtooth fish live well over 16,000 feet deep in the sea. Though they might migrate to the surface at night to catch their prey. This sea creature has a mouth filled with long, pointed teeth and is more active than most deep-sea creatures, actively searching for its prey. Their sharp teeth help ensure that the limited food source of the deep ocean finds itself in the fish’s mouth on the first strike.

Frilled Shark

The frilled shark looks like a prehistoric sea creature. It can grow up to seven feet in length with fins located far back on its body. This shark has rows of long teeth with three long points for snagging its prey—they prefer the soft-bodied squid. They are active predators and have been known to swallow their prey whole, regardless of its size.

Angler Fish

There are more than 200 species of angler fish living in the deep depths—over 900 meters or 3,000 feet) of the Atlantic and Antarctic Oceans. Usually dark grey or brown in color, their heads are large, with enormous crescent-shaped mouths. In their mouths sit sharp, translucent teeth. As adults, some species can grow up to three feet in length.

Giant Isopod

The giant isopod is one of the biggest crustaceans, closely related to shrimp and crabs. Amazingly, the giant isopod has existed for over 160 million years. They have seven pairs of legs with a hard exterior, possessing the ability to roll into a ball for protection like its relative, the land pillbug or “roly-poly.” The giant isopod resides on the deep ocean floor and is normally always in a state of semi-hibernation.

Goblin Shark

The goblin shark is one of the creepiest-looking sea creatures. It has a long prominent snout that’s covered with special sensing organs that help find electric fields in deep, dark water. The goblin shark has an unusual coloration to its body. It ranges from a pinkish color to a purplish grey color. A bright blue surrounds the edges of its fins.

Vampire Squid

The vampire squid is neither a squid nor an octopus, according to scientists. Granted, the sea creature has eights arms and two thin, long filaments, but the name comes from the dark color and the skin that connects the arms. It resembles a cape, much like one worn by a vampire. They live in dark waters deep in the ocean. When the vampire squid is frightened, it inverts its cape in a threatening show by putting its large spines on full display. These spines line the underside of its many arms.