Don’t Go in the Water

Though you likely won’t see these creatures in shallow waters, that doesn’t do much to soothe our nerves. From gigantic sea spiders to predatory jawless fish, the ocean is filled with all kinds of creatures—ones we’d rather not meet. 

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1. Anglerfish

When something is nicknamed the “black seadevil,” you know it isn’t good. Anglerfish first made its rounds on the internet years ago after photos went viral. With a bioluminescent lure protruding from its head and terrifying teeth, it’s easy to see where this guy got its name. 

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2. Japanese Spider Crab

Arachnophobes struggle enough with the everyday crab, let alone ones with massive legs. They’re so massive, in fact, that spider crabs have the largest leg span of any arthropod (which includes other creepy crawlies like spiders, scorpions, and centipedes). 

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3. Stonefish

With a completely unassuming face, that’s precisely how stonefish nab its prey. While its venomous bite can be fatal to humans, that hasn’t stopped daredevil eaters from chowing down on stonefish—which is safe to eat when prepared properly. 

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4. Giant Isopods

We’ve all encountered innocent pill bugs waddling through our basements, but feast your eyes on its gargantuan relative. Found in the depths of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, you’d need a lot of diatomaceous earth to get rid of this infestation.   

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5. Vampire Squid

Despite its name, the vampire squid is relatively unassuming at first. However, when threatened they can almost turn themselves inside out to reveal a far creepier exterior. The good news is that they’re only found in extreme deep conditions. 

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6. Lamprey

You’d think jawless fish would be less horrifying, but that won’t stop lamprey from sucking their enemies dry. Perhaps more aptly referred to as vampires, these weirdos have spiraled rows of pointed teeth used to latch onto their prey. However, humans also sink their teeth into lampreys as they’re considered a delicacy in several countries. 

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7. Deep Sea Dragonfish

This little guy may only be about ten centimeters long, but don’t let its size fool you. Despite its bioluminescence, the true highlight is its jaw—it can snag prey nearly 50% larger than its body mass (and it doesn’t help that they have scary teeth). 

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8. Viperfish

Viperfish are another creepy but small fish located in the ocean deep. However, their modest size doesn’t distract from their fangs, particularly their bottom teeth, which are long enough to reach their cold, dead eyes. 

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9. Fangtooth Fish

They’re ugly, they’re predatory…they have such large fangs they evolved sockets on either side of their brain just so they can close their mouths. Say hello to the fangtooth fish, though you likely won’t get a proper introduction since they’re some of the deepest ocean dwellers. 

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10. Goblin Shark

Goblin sharks give new meaning to “respect your elders.” These deep-sea creatures have been around for over 100 million years, moseying around the ocean floor until they quite literally snap up prey. They also have the fastest jaws in the shark community—so quick it’s known as “slingshot feeding.”

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11. Sea Spider

We’re not safe from spiders anywhere. That’s right, marine anthropods are a thing and they haunt the deepest parts of the ocean (though you can also find some in shallower waters). Their exact classification remains up for debate, but that won’t stop the nightmares. 

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12. Bobbit Worms

Ever wondered what an underwater millipede would look like? Look no further than the bobbit worm, a deep-sea freakshow often buried under ocean sediment. It burrows itself in and waits to strike prey, dragging it back down below. Their length also ranges from a piddly four inches to well over ten feet, so you never know how deep the bobbit worm hole goes.

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13. Bigfin Squid

Bigfin squid triggers plenty of phobias—thalassophobia, megalophobia, and even megalohydrothalassophobia (which is the fear of underwater creatures). Even if you’re not afraid of water or its wonders, this squid’s tentacles can run nearly 30 feet long and can stop anyone in its tracks. 

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14. King Crab

Say what you want about its taste, but king crabs still look incredibly creepy. With a potential leg span of up to six feet, king crabs also come with red spiky bodies far too similar to spiders. Its price can be pretty hair-raising, too. 

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15. Frilled Shark

These poor sharks are outcasts within the community, though it’s not hard to see why. Armed with 300 razor-sharp teeth and an unusual body, frilled sharks creep around in the dark, usually found in depths between 150 and 5,000 feet. 

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16. Coffinfish

Commonly referred to as “sea toads,” these little guys aren’t as large as other deep-sea creatures and usually don the same frown as blobfish. The real fright comes when they puff themselves out, literally holding their breath underwater to better support their lazy lifestyle.

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17. Box Jellyfish

Jellyfish are beautiful…at a distance. Get too close to a box jellyfish, however, and you could wind up in the hospital. Prey and unlucky swimmers can suffer anything from paralysis to swelling, with untreated wounds risking fatality.

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18. Blue-Ringed Octopus

At their peak, the blue-ringed octopus is only eight inches long, but they’re more than capable of untimely ends. They’ve taken the lives of nearly a dozen people thanks to their venom, a dangerous thing that causes numbness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. 

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19. Redtoothed Triggerfish

The name alone instills fear in the average human, but a photo seals the deal for anyone. Not only do they have rows of bright red fangs, but they also omit a grunting noise if threatened. It’s okay, we’ll just back away slowly. 

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20. Great White Shark

What would this list be without paying homage to a classic predator? At nearly 13 feet, they’ve made casual swimmers nervous for years. Their jaws are also so deadly, so terrifying, that the popular Steven Spielberg flick still scares audiences to this day. 

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