Anglerfish are a diverse group of fish species, many living in the deep sea, best known for a modified fin ray that projects above the mouth like a fishing rod tipped with a fleshy, often luminous lure used to attract prey close enough to be engulfed by the fish's large mouth. In several deep-sea anglerfish species, males are dramatically smaller than females and, in the most extreme cases, permanently fuse onto a female's body as a parasitic mate, sharing her bloodstream and providing sperm on demand in an environment where finding a mate in the vast, dark ocean is otherwise a formidable challenge. Anglerfish are ambush predators, relying on camouflage and their lure rather than active pursuit to capture prey, and deep-sea species remain poorly studied due to the difficulty of observing them in their extreme habitat.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceA modified dorsal fin ray projects above the mouth as a lure (the illicium, tipped with the esca) used to attract prey close enough to be engulfed. 1 Scientific Name Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Lophiiformes
In Biome
In Ecosystem
Source World Wildlife Fund
Sources
1. Anglerfish (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead paragraph, first sentence
The anglerfish are ray-finned fish in the order Lophiiformes
Lead paragraph, second sentence
Both the order's common and scientific name comes from the characteristic mode of predation, in which a modified dorsal fin ray acts as a lure for prey
Lead section
lophiid anglerfish (marketed as monkfish, goosefish, or simply angler) are much more valued for their meat, which is considered a delicacy
- In Biome: Marine, Wikipedia intro: "lerfish by using different luring methods, one method is a bioluminescent lure. Anglerfish occur in marine waters worldwide and occupy both bottom associated an..."
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ206948, descriptionView the Source World Wildlife Fund
Wikidata: Lophiiformes
Child Taxon Of: Actinopterygii, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q127282 (Actinopterygii)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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