Anglerfish
Lophiiformes
Quick answer
The anglerfish is a deep-sea fish named for the glowing, fishing-rod-like lure that grows from its head and attracts prey in the darkness. The familiar deep-sea females have huge mouths and needle-like teeth, and their light comes from glowing bacteria living in the lure. In some species the tiny male permanently fuses to the female's body, becoming a lifelong source of sperm.
Anglerfish facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Lophiiformes (order) |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Deep ocean, often below 1,000 m |
| Lifespan | Estimated 10–30 years |
| Length | A few cm up to 1 m by species |
| Top speed | Slow; an ambush predator |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (most species) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Lophiiformes |
Where it lives
Deep oceans worldwide, with many species living far below the sunlit surface waters.
The glowing lure
Deep-sea anglerfish have a modified spine that extends over the mouth and ends in a fleshy, glowing tip. The light is produced by symbiotic bacteria living inside the lure, an example of bioluminescence. By wiggling this lure in the dark, the anglerfish draws curious prey close to its waiting jaws.
Built for the deep
Many anglerfish live in the cold, dark, high-pressure waters of the deep sea, where food is scarce. They have enormous mouths, expandable stomachs, and long, inward-curving teeth that let them swallow prey nearly as large as themselves. Slow metabolisms help them survive long gaps between meals.
Extreme reproduction
In several deep-sea species, males are tiny compared with the much larger females. A male finds a female using smell, bites onto her body, and in some species permanently fuses to her, sharing her bloodstream and becoming little more than an attached source of sperm. This ensures a mate is always available in the vast, empty deep.
Habitat and range
Anglerfish are found in oceans worldwide, with many of the famous lured species living far below the sunlit zone. Some relatives, such as the shallow-water monkfish, live on the seafloor and are caught for food. Because deep-sea species are so remote, most are not considered threatened.
Frequently asked questions about the Anglerfish
Why does an anglerfish glow?
An anglerfish glows because of bioluminescent bacteria living in the lure on its head. The light attracts prey in the dark deep sea, drawing it close enough for the anglerfish to snap up.
What does the anglerfish use its lure for?
The lure is a built-in fishing rod. By dangling and wiggling the glowing tip, the anglerfish entices curious prey toward its mouth, then ambushes it with a quick gulp.
Do male and female anglerfish fuse together?
In some deep-sea species, yes. The much smaller male bites onto the female and can permanently fuse to her body, sharing her blood supply and serving as a lifelong source of sperm.
Where do anglerfish live?
Many anglerfish live in the deep ocean, often well below 1,000 m where sunlight cannot reach, although some relatives live on the seafloor in shallower coastal waters.
What do anglerfish eat?
Anglerfish are carnivores that eat fish and invertebrates. Their large mouths and expandable stomachs let them swallow prey nearly as big as themselves, an advantage where food is scarce.
