![]() Its skin is specially adapted to reflect blue light. It has soft flesh and bones and small eyes. The color of this anglerfish ranges from brown to dark gray or black. Despite its ferocious appearance, the angler is a small fish, reaching a maximum length of only about five inches (12 centimeters). Its grotesque appearance has earned it the nickname "common black devil". It has a very large mouth with sharp, fang-like teeth. The deep sea anglerfish has a round body that resembles a basketball, and indeed, it looks like it could easily swallow one. A female will carry six or more males on her body. Over time, the male physically fuses with the female, connecting to her skin and bloodstream and losing his eyes and all his internal organs except the testes. When a young, free-swimming male angler encounters a female, he latches onto her with his sharp teeth. In lieu of continually seeking the vast abyss for a female, it has evolved into a permanent parasitic mate. The male, which is significantly smaller than the female, has no need for such an adaptation. Their mouths are so big and their bodies so pliable, they can actually swallow prey up to twice their own size. Tipped with a lure of luminous flesh this built-in rod baits prey close enough to be snatched. Their most distinctive feature, worn only by females, is a piece of dorsal spine that protrudes above their mouths like a fishing pole-hence their name. Most however are significantly smaller, often less than a foot. Some angler fish can be quite large, reaching 3.3 feet (1 meter) in length. Generally dark gray to dark brown in color, they have huge heads and enormous crescent-shaped mouths filled with sharp, translucent teeth. There are more than 200 species of anglerfish, most of which live in the murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans, up to a mile below the surface, although some live in shallow, tropical environments. It is quite possibly the ugliest animal on the planet, and it lives in what is easily Earth's most inhospitable habitat: the lonely, lightless bottom of the sea. So while this species might visit your nightmares and redefine your conception of ugly, the anglerfish is also a fascinating example of the diversity of our planet and the mysteries still lurking in the oceans today.The angry-looking deep sea anglerfish has a right to be cranky. The anglerfish is just one example of the mysterious creatures that have evolved to survive in an abyss of depth and darkness. It is also true that a vast expanse exists right here on earth, beneath the surface of the ocean. It’s easy to look up at the stars and wonder at the vast expanse of the universe above us. The anglerfish can extend its jaw and stomach, allowing the fish to store food until the next time a meal comes around – which could be a while. However, this behavior is actually ideal for the energy-deficient environment of the deep sea.Īnother terrifyingly cool fact? Not only does the female anglerfish often consume their mates, but they also swallow prey up to twice their own size. This technique (as well as the way the anglerfish swims forward) could be considered lethargic. Studies have found that while the anglerfish is a fairly fast swimmer when retreating, it drifts up to 74% of the time. While the lure is obviously a huge advantage in the darkest corners of our world, that’s not all the anglerfish is using to survive in such an intense place. Quite a useful technique if you think about it – in such dark habitats it’s best to hang on tight once you’ve found a mate. Up to six males might be simultaneously fused to a single female fish’s body. ![]() In many species of anglerfish, the male fish will lose its eyes and internal organs (except the testes, of course, those will still be needed…). Eventually, the male body will dissolve into the female fish, fusing with her skin and bloodstream. They are permanently parasitic mates and will latch onto the body of a female with its sharp teeth. Males are significantly smaller than females. This is also how the anglerfish attracts mates. The anglerfish pulses the light and moves the fin around, drawing in other fish. The female angler fish also has a muscular flap that can hide the light of the lure. ![]() This luminescence is caused by the interactions of millions of bacteria. The very tip of the lure is luminescent flesh. One of the more distinct physical features of the anglerfish is its “lure.” Found only on females, this lure is a stem-like piece of the dorsal fin that looks remarkably like a fishing lure. They’re carnivorous and can weigh up to 110 pounds. With sharp, translucent teeth, enormous pac-man mouths, and a large head, the female anglerfish is often compared to the size of a basketball. There’s no way around it, the anglerfish is a terrifying creature to look at. ![]()
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