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10 most deadly and aggressive fish found in the deep ocean

Lurking in the ocean’s darkest depths are fish as terrifying as they are deadly. From fangtooth to goblin sharks, these 10 aggressive predators dominate the deep with stealth and force.

Sheetal Kumari | July 21, 2025 / 18:51 IST
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Viperfish: Equipped with dagger-toothed jaws and a hinged mouth, the viperfish employs bioluminescence to entice and ambush prey within the ocean's dark depths. (Image: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute-MBARI)
Viperfish: Equipped with dagger-toothed jaws and a hinged mouth, the viperfish employs bioluminescence to entice and ambush prey within the ocean's dark depths. (Image: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute—MBARI)
2/10
Dragonfish: This sneaky predator radiates in near-infrared, which can't be seen by most animals, so it can creep up on prey and strike with immense bite force. (Image: MBARI)
Dragonfish: This sneaky predator radiates in near-infrared, which can't be seen by most animals, so it can creep up on prey and strike with immense bite force. (Image: MBARI)
3/10
Fangtooth Fish: Don't be deceived by its size—this deep-sea hunter possesses the largest teeth in relation to body size of any fish and is able to chomp down on prey in absolute darkness. (Image: MBARI)
Fangtooth Fish: Don't be deceived by its size—this deep-sea hunter possesses the largest teeth in relation to body size of any fish and is able to chomp down on prey in absolute darkness. (Image: MBARI)
4/10
Goblin Shark: With its spooky, jutting jaw, the goblin shark strikes with lightning speed, grabbing prey with a slingshot motion from its snout. (Image: @SharkiesOTD/X)
Goblin Shark: With its spooky, jutting jaw, the goblin shark strikes with lightning speed, grabbing prey with a slingshot motion from its snout. (Image: @SharkiesOTD/X)
5/10
Frilled Shark: With its snake-like body and teeth that face backward, the frilled shark swallows prey whole—usually attacking with a jolting, lunging motion. (Image: Canva)
Frilled Shark: With its snake-like body and teeth that face backward, the frilled shark swallows prey whole—usually attacking with a jolting, lunging motion. (Image: Canva)
6/10
Pacific Blackdragon: This ferocious female predator wears a shining barbel to lure victims in and is capable of eating fish almost as large as itself. (Image: MBARI)
Pacific Blackdragon: This ferocious female predator wears a shining barbel to lure victims in and is capable of eating fish almost as large as itself. (Image: MBARI)
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Cookiecutter Shark: Small but deadly, this predator bites circular, crater-type wounds by attaching to its prey and twisting, cutting through flesh and skin. (Image: @insectbeau/X)
Cookiecutter Shark: Small but deadly, this predator bites circular, crater-type wounds by attaching to its prey and twisting, cutting through flesh and skin. (Image: @insectbeau/X)
8/10
Anglerfish: Its distinctive shining lure beckons prey in before strong jaws snap to imprison the victim from which there is no escape in this deep-sea trap. (Image: Canva)
Anglerfish: Its distinctive shining lure beckons prey in before strong jaws snap to imprison the victim, from which there is no escape in this deep-sea trap. (Image: Canva)
9/10
Atlantic Wolffish: Its powerful crushing jaws and enormous teeth shatter shells and crustaceans, giving it a ferocious bottom-dweller in cold, deep-sea settings. (Image: Citron/Oceana/X)
Atlantic Wolffish: Its powerful crushing jaws and enormous teeth shatter shells and crustaceans, making it a ferocious bottom-dweller in cold, deep-sea settings. (Image: Citron/Oceana/X)
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Giant Trevally: While not as deep-sea as some, it's a ferocious open-ocean predator famous for ambushing prey and even jumping to catch birds out of the air. (Image: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)
Giant Trevally: While not as deep-sea as some, it's a ferocious open-ocean predator famous for ambushing prey and even jumping to catch birds out of the air. (Image: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)

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