ANGLERFISH

Family Lophidae

ANGLERFISH

Lophius piscatorius

The Anglerfish or monkfish is unmistakable by its large flattened body and incredibly ugly visage (unless you are another anglerfish!). Growing to over 2m (6ft 6in), it has a huge head surrounded by a frill of fleshy appendages around the lower jaw. The mouth is filled with sharp inward-pointing teeth and when fully extended, the mouth is virtually circular. Behind the head are a row of adapted dorsal fin rays, which it uses to dangle in front of its mouth to ‘angle’ for its dinner. Ecology: Sedentary by nature, the Anglerfish has two very strong ventral fins, which have been adapted into feet, which can thrust the fish rapidly off the seabed in either fight, flight or catching food. When lying in wait, the fish lures other prey species into its catchment area, then with a combination of thrust and opening its mouth wide, sea water is sucked into the cavity along with the poor dinner!