Melanocetid

Melanocetid refers to any member of the family Melanocetidae, commonly known as black seadevils. These are a family of deep-sea anglerfish within the order Lophiiformes. They are characterized by their extremely dark coloration, often appearing black or deep brown, which helps them blend into the abyssal environment. A defining feature of female melanocetids is the presence of a bioluminescent esca, a lure that dangles from a modified dorsal fin spine called an illicium. This esca is used to attract prey in the perpetual darkness of their habitat.

Melanocetids are found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide, typically inhabiting depths ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 meters. They are pelagic, meaning they live in the open ocean rather than on the seafloor. Like many anglerfish, melanocetids exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism. The males are significantly smaller than the females and, in some species, are parasitic, attaching themselves to the female and fusing their circulatory systems. This ensures that the female always has a mate readily available for reproduction in the vastness of the deep sea. Their diet consists mainly of smaller fish and invertebrates that are drawn to their bioluminescent lure.