Anglerfishes

Anglerfishes are a diverse group of marine fish in the order Lophiiformes. They are best known for their mode of predation: a fleshy, modified dorsal spine called the illicium extends from the snout with a fleshy lure, the esca, at the tip, used to lure prey. In many deep-sea species the esca is bioluminescent, hosting symbiotic bacteria that emit light. The body shape is typically broad-headed, with a large mouth and sharp teeth; the dorsal and pectoral fins are often modified into a grasping structure to help hold prey.

Anglerfishes inhabit a wide range of depths from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea, with many species adapted to life on continental slopes and abyssal plains. Reproduction varies; in several deep-sea lineages (notably the ceratioids) males become parasitic on females, fusing with their bodies to provide sperm for life; this extreme sexual dimorphism is rare outside those groups.

Diet consists of small fish and invertebrates, captured by the luring tactic. They are ambush predators that rely on camouflage and sudden strikes. Taxonomy places them in the order Lophiiformes, with numerous families of anglers worldwide, including the well-known sea devils among the deeper-dwelling forms and more typical anglerfishes in shallower waters.

Conservation status is uneven; many species have not been assessed, and deep-sea fisheries can affect certain populations. Anglerfishes are of interest to scientists for their unique morphology, bioluminescence, and extreme life histories.