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deep-sea angler
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Bioluminescent anglerfish Illustration of a deep-sea angler fish, Ceratias holboelli, showing its rounded dark body, large mouth, long fins, and a prominent bioluminescent lure extending from its head. Illustrated comparison of body shapes for various fish: a dark anglerfish with a bioluminescent lure, a round pancake batfish, a flat sargassum fish, a slender Eastern cleaner-clingfish, a dark deep-sea angler, a silvery beardfish, and a pale Southern cave fish. Each fish is labeled with its common and scientific name, representing different orders within Paracanthopterygii.
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deep-sea angler

fish
Also known as: Ceratioidei, deep-sea anglerfish
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Bioluminescent anglerfish
Bioluminescent anglerfish Triplewart seadevil (Cryptopsaras couesii). This deep-sea dweller is an anglerfish that uses its luminous lure to attract prey in the darkest depths of the ocean.

Deep-sea anglers are a group of marine fish known for their unique hunting method. They are characterized by a modified dorsal fin spine that acts as a "fishing rod," tipped with a luminous lure to attract prey in the dark ocean depths. Unlike other anglerfish that live on the seafloor, deep-sea anglers swim in the water column.1

These fish are often bizarre in appearance, with small gill openings and limblike fins. Females possess the bioluminescent lure, which can range from simple to ornate. They prey on various sea creatures, sometimes swallowing prey larger than themselves. In some species, males are significantly smaller than females and live as permanent parasites, attaching themselves to the female and becoming dependent on her for nourishment. Deep-sea anglerfish are part of the larger group of deep-sea fish, which have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in extreme environments of pressure, cold, and darkness.123

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6 Britannica Sources
  1. anglerfish
  2. deep-sea fish
  3. How Do Fish Reproduce?
  4. marine bioluminescence
  5. Everything’s Illuminated: 6 Bioluminescent Organisms
  6. How Big Are Anglerfish Compared to Humans?

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