Anglerfish

Biology and range

Most anglerfish live in the murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans, up to a mile below the surface, though some live in shallow tropical environments.^[1] Anglerfish are defined by gills that open behind the pectoral fins and a luring apparatus.^[3] The largest member is the European monkfish Lophius piscatorius at 200 cm SL and 57.7 kg.^[4] Deep-sea anglerfish are dark colored, with tints ranging from grey to brown, to blend in with the featureless dark depths.^[5]

The size range for anglerfish is typically 2–18 cm, though certain species exceed 100 cm, such as the European monkfish Lophius piscatorius reaching 200 cm standard length and 57.7 kg, the deep-sea warty anglerfish Ceratias holboelli at 120 cm total length, the giant frogfish Antennarius commerson at 45 cm total length, and the giant triangular batfish Malthopsis gigas at 13.6 cm.^[4] Ambush predation is the general strategy for anglerfish; shallow-water forms like frogfish frequently disguise themselves as rocks, sponges, or seaweed, while deep-sea species are darkly colored in shades of grey to brown to match their lightless surroundings.^[5] A large mouth encircles the front of the head in the majority of species, with both jaws lined by rows of teeth that point inward.^[6] Because their bones are thin and flexible, anglerfish can greatly expand both their jaw and stomach, enabling them to ingest prey that is up to double their own body size.^[6]

Every anglerfish, including pelagic deep-sea varieties, is a feeble swimmer.^[7]

What the specialist sources record

The National Geographic account notes that male anglerfish are significantly smaller than females and have no need for a luring adaptation.^[1] A 2021 NOAA article by Mundy states that open-water pelagic anglerfishes have lures on long stalks that produce bioluminescence.^[8] Sea toads have been described as having bioluminescent lures, but there is no evidence for that.^[8] The Marine Science Institute account by Benningfield describes that in many female anglerfish, a long spine hangs over the fish’s head.^[9]

Benningfield also states that the anglerfish can stretch its jaws and stomach so wide that it can eat a fish up to twice its own size.^[9] The World Register of Marine Species records Lophiiformes as an accepted order within the class Teleostei, with a marine environment.^[10] GBIF holds 309,548 occurrence records for the order Lophiiformes as of October 2026.^[11]