Anglerfishes are fish of the teleost order Lophiiformes. source
Anglerfishes are fish of the teleost order Lophiiformes.
Anglerfishes are bony fish named for their characteristic mode of predation, in which a fleshy growth from the fish's head (the esca or illicium) acts as a lure. source
Anglerfishes are bony fish named for their characteristic mode of predation, in which a fleshy growth from the fish's head (the esca or illicium) acts as a lure.
In these species, males anglerfishmay be several orders of magnitude smaller than females. source
In these species, males anglerfishmay be several orders of magnitude smaller than females.
Anglerfish occur worldwide. source
Anglerfish occur worldwide.
Most adult female ceratioid anglerfish have a luminescent organ called the esca at the tip of a modified dorsal ray (the illicium, or "fishing rod"). source
Most adult female ceratioid anglerfish have a luminescent organ called the esca at the tip of a modified dorsal ray (the illicium, or "fishing rod").
The organ has been hypothesized to serve the obvious purpose of luring prey in dark, deep-sea environments, source
The organ has been hypothesized to serve the obvious purpose of luring prey in dark, deep-sea environments,
Serves to call males anglerfish' attention to the females to facilitate mating. source
Serves to call males anglerfish' attention to the females to facilitate mating.
In 2005, near Monterey, California, at 1474 metres depth, an ROV filmed a female ceratioid anglerfish of the genus Oneirodes for 24 minutes. source
In 2005, near Monterey, California, at 1474 metres depth, an ROV filmed a female ceratioid anglerfish of the genus Oneirodes for 24 minutes.
Another in situ observation of three different whipnose anglerfish showed unusual upside-down swimming behavior. source
Another in situ observation of three different whipnose anglerfish showed unusual upside-down swimming behavior.
The name "anglerfish" derives from the species' characteristic method of predation. source
The name "anglerfish" derives from the species' characteristic method of predation.
Anglerfish typically have at least one long filament sprouting from the middle of their heads, termed the illicium. source
Anglerfish typically have at least one long filament sprouting from the middle of their heads, termed the illicium.
The illicium is the detached and modified first three spines of the anterior dorsal fin. In most anglerfish species, the longest filament is the first. source
The illicium is the detached and modified first three spines of the anterior dorsal fin. In most anglerfish species, the longest filament is the first.
This first spine protrudes above the fish's eyes and terminates in an irregular growth of flesh (the esca), and can move in all directions. source
This first spine protrudes above the fish's eyes and terminates in an irregular growth of flesh (the esca), and can move in all directions.
Anglerfish can wiggle the esca to make it resemble a prey animal, which lures the anglerfish's prey close enough for the anglerfish to devour them whole. source
Anglerfish can wiggle the esca to make it resemble a prey animal, which lures the anglerfish's prey close enough for the anglerfish to devour them whole.
Some deep-sea anglerfish of the bathypelagic zone emit light from their esca to attract prey. source
Some deep-sea anglerfish of the bathypelagic zone emit light from their esca to attract prey.
Some anglerfish, like those of the Ceratiidae, or sea devils, employ an unusual mating method. source
Some anglerfish, like those of the Ceratiidae, or sea devils, employ an unusual mating method.
The methods anglerfish use to locate mates vary. source
The methods anglerfish use to locate mates vary.
Some species of anglerfish have minute eyes that are unfit for identifying females, while others have underdeveloped nostrils. source
Some species of anglerfish have minute eyes that are unfit for identifying females, while others have underdeveloped nostrils.
Parasitism is not the only method of reproduction in anglerfish. source
Parasitism is not the only method of reproduction in anglerfish.
Sexual parasitism may be an optional strategy in some species of anglerfishes source
Sexual parasitism may be an optional strategy in some species of anglerfishes
Anglerfish are known to occasionally rise to the surface during El Niño, leaving large groups of dead anglerfish floating on the surface. source
Anglerfish are known to occasionally rise to the surface during El Niño, leaving large groups of dead anglerfish floating on the surface.
The spawn of the anglerfish of the genus Lophius consists of a thin sheet of transparent gelatinous material 25 cm (10 in) wide and greater than 10 m (33 ft) long source
The spawn of the anglerfish of the genus Lophius consists of a thin sheet of transparent gelatinous material 25 cm (10 in) wide and greater than 10 m (33 ft) long
