Black Swallower
If you look up something like the Goblin Shark or even the chimera, you’ll come across some pretty freaky-looking, mysterious animals. Many sea species do look a little odd, especially those found in the deep ocean. However, there is perhaps no other species odder than the Black Swallower. While the name sounds like some sort of X-X-X film title, the pictures you’re seeing right now will show why the name makes sense. As weird as it might seem, this is a pretty small fish. The species only grows from 6 to 8 inches. The largest ever known only grew to around 9.8 inches, which was very abnormal.
The body is elongated but also compressed and without scales. The head is long with a blunt snout, eyes of moderate size, and a very large mouth. Interestingly, the lower jaw protrudes past the upper, with the jaws aligning with a single row of very sharp teeth that are depressible. The teeth also interlock as well. Of course, the stomach is the real eye-catcher here. Both the teeth and stomach allow the Black Swallower to eat fish 10 times larger than it. This species is rarely seen in its normal habitat, as it tends to be 3,000 to 10,000 feet below the surface. In spite of the beer belly, this species is an impressive hunter known for its stealth.