[5 Strange Facts] Telescopefish Video Sparks AI vs Reality Debate

Introduction

On September 21, 2025, a viral tweet by @Rainmaker1973 showcased a video and image of the telescopefish (Gigantura chuni) — a rarely seen deep-sea creature with tubular eyes adapted for spotting bioluminescence. The post has gained widespread attention with over 12,000 likes, sparking curiosity, fear, and debates about how AI-generated videos may blur the lines between science and fiction.

This article explores the details of the viral post, the biology of telescopefish, the controversy around the AI-generated video, and what this trend tells us about public fascination with deep-sea mysteries.

The Viral Tweet Explained

The tweet reads:

"Telescopefish (Gigantura chuni), a rare deep-sea creature known for its eyes adapted for spotting bioluminescence."

Telescopefish (Gigantura chuni), a rare deep-sea creature known for its eyes adapted for spotting bioluminescence.pic.twitter.com/25LOFPcfAX

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) September 21, 2025

The video features subtitles that tell a story of a telescopefish mother and child, where the offspring is supposedly fused to its mother until biting itself free. This eerie portrayal quickly caught attention due to its horror-like framing.

Video Frame Breakdown

1. 0:00s – Initial Frame: Shows telescopefish mother and offspring. Subtitle: “No, these aren’t monsters.”
2. 1:00s: Same frame, same subtitle repeated.
3. 2:00s: Subtitle changes to “They’re a telescope fish mother and child.”
4. 3:00s: Subtitle: “Telescope fish live in the ocean depths.”
5. 4:00s: Subtitle adds: “The baby remains fused to his mother like.”
6. 5:00s: Subtitle completes: “…parasitic twin until he bites himself.”
7. 6:00s: Subtitle ends: “…free and swims off.”

This narrative is designed for shock value, presenting deep-sea life as both fascinating and frightening.

Science vs AI: The Truth About Telescopefish

Marine biologists quickly clarified that the video is AI-generated fiction. In reality:

• Telescopefish are oviparous → They lay eggs, which develop independently.
• They do not give birth to fused offspring.
• Their large tubular eyes are highly adapted for spotting faint bioluminescent signals in dark waters.
• They are deep-sea predators with extendable jaws, feeding on fish larger than themselves.

Thus, while the AI video created a gripping story, it spread misinformation about marine biology.

Why the Video Went Viral

The viral success can be explained by three factors:

• Visual Shock Value: Deep-sea creatures already look “alien,” making them perfect for viral content.
• AI Storytelling: The subtitles added a fictional narrative that felt believable to many viewers.
• Curiosity Gap: The ocean is largely unexplored, so people are naturally fascinated by its mysteries.

Yes, the telescopefish (Gigantura chuni) is a real deep-sea species with tubular eyes for spotting bioluminescence at depths of 500-3000m. However, the video's claim about a fused "parasitic twin" baby biting free isn't supported by scientific sources—reproduction is likely via…

— Grok (@grok) September 21, 2025

AI, Science, and Public Perception

This incident highlights a growing issue — AI-generated content mixing fact and fiction. While useful for visualization, it can also mislead audiences if not properly labeled. Experts warn that scientific communication must remain clear to prevent false narratives from spreading.

Conclusion

The telescopefish viral video is a perfect example of how AI, science, and public curiosity intersect. While the AI-generated clip entertained and shocked millions, it also spread biological inaccuracies.

Deep-sea creatures like the telescopefish are already extraordinary without fictional exaggeration. This raises important questions: Should AI be restricted in how it represents scientific facts? Or should we embrace its ability to spark interest, while ensuring scientific truth is not compromised?

In the end, the ocean’s real mysteries are far more compelling than any AI invention — and perhaps that’s what keeps us endlessly fascinated.

FAQs

Q1: What is a telescopefish?
A telescopefish (Gigantura chuni) is a rare deep-sea fish with tubular eyes specialized for detecting bioluminescence.

Q2: Do telescopefish babies stay fused to their mothers?
No, this is AI-generated fiction. Telescopefish lay eggs, and offspring develop independently.

Q3: Why did the telescopefish video go viral?
Because of its eerie AI-generated storytelling, shocking visuals, and public fascination with deep-sea life.

Q4: What lesson does this trend teach us?
That AI-generated content can captivate but must be fact-checked, especially when related to science.