A commercial diver in Russia stuck his hand into the mouth of a monkfish, aka a sea-devil. He struggles to get his arm free as the row of sharp teeth on both sides of its mouth clamps down on the diver’s hand. Probably one of his most interesting days at “the office”, they had a difficult time to figure out how to get his hand free.

monk-fish-01

It grows to a length of more than 1.5 m (5 ft); specimens of 1 m (3 ft) are common

This is the best translation for the Russian clip:

“Why did you stick your hand in its mouth?”

“Does it matter? Just get this thing off me?”

“Here, let me pry its mouth open with my finger.”

[That didn’t work]

“How about we try jamming this piece of wood down its throat?”

“It’s not working. Dang, this hurts. Nyet, don’t try knocking it over the head with that piece of wood. Nyet, nyet, nyet.”

monk-fish-teeth

Monkfish have been reported to eat prey half their size, the diver’s hand probably looked like an afternoon snack

“I know, let me use a fillet knife and cut it off.”

[That didn’t work]

“I told you that knife needed sharpening. Why not you listen to me?”

“Here’s an idea, how about you push down on one side of its mouth with the piece of wood, and I’ll push up on the other side with this pipe.”

[Voila, it worked]

“Whew.”

[Looks down throat]

“Oh, I see why you stuck your hand down its mouth—Not! Dude, next time, use this stick to probe its tonsils, you nincompoop!”

 

Watch the clip: