Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach in March 2020. A Pacific footballfish, a type of anglerfish that typically lives thousands of feet underwater, washed ashore at the beach last week. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
In the animated film “Finding Nemo,” a stealthy anglerfish gaped silently at passing fish, its lightbulb-like antennae hovering in front of its head and its jagged jaws spread wide as it worked to lure unsuspecting prey into its mouth.