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 Anglerfish Are Called the "Underwater Flashlights" When someone mentions an anglerfish, you are probably thinking, "What in the world is that?" Chances are you have never seen one because they rarely survive in aquariums and bringing them to the surface from the depths is very difficult, since it causes severe internal injuries to their delicate bodies. Even if they are accidentally caught, they will more than likely be dead before they can be returned to their habitat. With their mouths full of sharp teeth and a dark skin, some individuals have described the anglerfish as among the ugliest animals on the planet. Anglerfish are marine, often deep-sea fish in areas of low to no light. They have a relatively large head, wide mouth, short tapering body and tail, and short rounded fins. Some nicknames include monkfish and goosefish. They may grow up to two meters (six-and-a-half-feet) and can get as big as 40 kilograms (84 pounds). While they are found all over the globe, some anglerfish live on the murky bottoms of the sea, while others live in deep, open ocean waters. Anglerfish are unique in several ways, but particularly in regards to their feeding and reproduction habits. The name anglerfish is based upon the way in which they catch their prey. The anglerfish rarely moves, so prey has to come extremely close to the fish's mouth. They have a fluorescent light source, filled with bacteria, and attached by a filament to the top of their head. These fish will flash the light similar to a firefly. Prey are attracted to the "bait" since it looks like a food item, and when they are lured in close enough, they are snatched up as dinner in a lightning-fast lunge, too fast to be seen by the human eye. Anglerfish have the capability to eat prey up to twice their own size, made possible by a huge mouth and a distensible stomach. Hunting is not the only thing interesting about the anglerfish. The way they reproduce is also unique. The male is usually much smaller than the female. The male will latch on to the belly of a receptive female with his teeth as a parasite. The male will then fuse with the female and derive all of his nourishment from her. When the female is ready to reproduce, she already has a ready mate and can do so without having to search for a male. This is particularly effective in deep waters where fish densities are low and time is not lost in searching for a suitable mate. Even though these fish may not be pretty to look at, they have been known to be found at fish markets. Some countries in Asia even consider the anglerfish to be a delicacy with a taste comparable to lobster. The anglerfish may be ugly in appearance and have very peculiar mating and hunting habits, but they are fascinating animals, made all the more mysterious by the remoteness of the murky depths in which they live. For more information contact the ASU Dept. of Biological Sciences at biology@astate.edu. [+] add comment |