Mural of Rare Deep-Sea Fish Sparks Online Frenzy

Art has a mysterious way of anticipating reality. This is evident in the work of Cozumel street artist, Reho2 One. Just days before a peculiar deep-sea fish surfaced and became a global sensation, Reho2 One had already painted a surrealistic version of this creature on a Cozumel wall. The mural has since also gone viral.

The deep-sea fish, known for its devilish appearance, was discovered by marine biology specialists Laia Valor and Antonio Sabuco, along with biologist Marc Martín and photographer David Jara. They stumbled upon the creature while returning from a shark sampling campaign in Tenerife.

“I had this design for years, I had done it digitally, but I had never painted it. And I did it just before the actual fish appeared and suddenly everyone was talking about it. I didn’t expect my mural to go so viral,” says Jesús Rafael Sandoval Aragón, also known as Reho2 One. His mural, located within a private residence in Cozumel, has garnered over 30,000 likes on social media.

Reho2 One sees a deeper meaning in the appearance of the deep-sea fish. “When I saw the news, the first thing I thought was: this is not normal… It’s not a good sign that a fish from such deep waters has come to the surface,” he reflects. His message is clear: something serious is happening with the oceans.

Living on an island, he has witnessed how waste and pollution affect the ecosystem. “Here in Cozumel we get loads of waste from other countries, the sea returns it to us as if to say, ‘look what you’re doing!’ People come, use sunscreens that damage corals, throw rubbish… and then we are surprised when we see things like this”.

For Reho2 One, his art is a medium for raising awareness. “I always try to make my work have an impact. Painting these crazy fish is not just for fun, I also want people to see how incredible marine life is, and to take care of it,” he says proudly.

With over a decade of experience, his style combines graffiti with marine life. His trademark is the “crazy fish”, creatures in mutation or transformation with vibrant colors, reflecting his fascination with the ocean and its exuberant energy. His art has left its mark in cities such as Puerto Vallarta, Baja California Sur, Oaxaca and Ciudad Juárez, but his greatest inspiration always comes from the sea.

At 32, Reho2 One is part of a crew called Locos Playa, a collective of urban artists based in different Mexican cities. While most work independently, the group occasionally meets to paint collective murals. “Each one has their style, but we all share the same vision. Urban art is our way of communicating, of expressing ourselves. And the cool thing is that, even though we are in different parts of the country, we always support each other and stay connected,” he explains. The crew has left its mark in places like Mexico City, Chetumal, and Puerto Vallarta, bringing urban art to different parts of the country.

Despite the growing popularity of urban art in Quintana Roo, artists continue to face challenges. “There is almost no cultural support here. In places like Oaxaca there are street art exhibitions and festivals, but not here in Cozumel. Sometimes, finding a wall to paint on is complicated. I have learned to find a way around it, to contact people who give me the freedom to paint what I want and to keep creating.”