Animal Profiles
Fish

Anglerfish

Lophiiformes

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Anglerfishes include many different marine hunters. This account describes the European angler, a bottom-dwelling species that waits in sediment and uses a modified fin spine to lure prey.

European angler (Lophius piscatorius), the representative described here.

European angler (Lophius piscatorius), the representative described here.

Libby Keatley · CC BY

At a glance

Location
The representative is Lophius piscatorius of the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean region. It occupies sandy or muddy bottoms from coastal waters down the continental margin.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
The fish waits partly concealed and brings prey close with its lure.

Classification

Common name
Anglerfish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Lophiiformes
Taxon rank
order
Order
Lophiiformes
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It hunts by ambush.
  • Its head carries a fishing lure.
  • Adults often eat other fishes.

Habitat and range

The representative is Lophius piscatorius of the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean region. It occupies sandy or muddy bottoms from coastal waters down the continental margin.

Appearance and adaptations

A broad, flattened head and wide toothed mouth suit an ambush predator. A flexible lure projects from the head. This shallow-to-deep-water angler should not be confused with every deep-sea anglerfish.

Diet and behaviour

The fish waits partly concealed and brings prey close with its lure. Young animals take invertebrates; larger individuals eat many fishes as well as other available prey.

Sources

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