The anglerfish is not a pretty fish, but it is unusual. They live mostly in the murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic Oceans, up to a mile down.
What's unusual? The female has her own built-in fishing rod above her head with a lure that is illuminated. She dangles this above her mouth filled with sharp teeth. The mouth of the angler is so be and its body can stretch to swallow prey up to twice its size whole! The angler's sharp teeth keep the prey form escaping while it is digested.
The female's lure also attracts a smaller male (or up to 6 males) that will latch onto her and become a parasite, getting nutrients from her body for the rest of his life.
There are more than 200 species of anglerfish.
Ah Joan such interesting information to go along with your dramatic sketch of the unselfish. Did not know there were so many different species. Enjoying my visit here friend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAh Joan such interesting information to go along with your dramatic sketch of the unselfish. Did not know there were so many different species. Enjoying my visit here friend. Hugs!
ReplyDeletea truly ugly fish but interesting information - thanks Alicia
ReplyDeleteThanks Debby and Val!!!
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