Recently, GenZ-ers are bawling their eyes out about the tragic death of a small anglerfish that died upon reaching the ocean’s surface. 

Last month, a female black sea devil — a fearsome fish that lives as deep as 6,500 feet below the surface — was filmed swimming in the shallows off Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

The rare sighting quickly captivated people around the world.

Since then, people have been buzzing over the news on the internet. Emotional TikTokers flooded the platform with tributes and theories, with some videos even garnering millions of views.

One video even has its own twist; it prompted an AI to make a Pixar version of the viral event. It easily garnered almost 250,000 likes.

The sadness of the creature’s tragic fate resonated with many, and the viral footage became a symbol of fragility in the vast ocean.

The viral video turned into a symbolism of the beauty of the unknown and the bittersweet nature of fleeting life.

However, Filipinos are treating the viral fish in the opposite way. 

While others mourn its death, Filipino social media users have been sharing and making humorous memes and lighthearted commentary. 

Filipinos are known for their joy, often approaching even the most serious situations with humor.

When it comes to viral content like the anglerfish’s death, Filipinos are quick to add their own spin, turning a potentially heartbreaking story into witty memes.

Researchers are still determining why the anglerfish rose to the surface, but some scientists speculate that this species may occasionally rise to the surface during North America’s El Niño weather event, which reduces the upwelling of cold water along the coast.