Menu Close

Key Information

Anglerfish

Species About 320 species
Diet Carnivore
Length 1 inch to about 4 ft
Weight Up to 110 lb
Classification Actinopterygii > Percomorpha > Lophiiformes
Conservation Status Varies, some endangered
Habitat Deep oceans, or on the continental shelves

Learning Point

  • Anglerfish are some of the strangest fish in the ocean! They live deep in the dark water where it’s hard to find food. To catch their dinner, they have a special fishing pole that grows right out of their head! At the end of the pole is a glowing light that attracts curious prey. When an unsuspecting fish swims close, the anglerfish snaps it up with its big mouth and sharp teeth.

Project

  • Draw a picture of an anglerfish.
  • Overview
  • X-Ray
Anglerfish
By Masaki Miya et al. – Evolutionary history of anglerfishes (Teleostei: Lophiiformes): a mitogenomic perspective. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2010, 10:58 doi:10.1186/1471-2148-10-58, CC BY 2.0, Link
Skeleton of Anglerfish
By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Location

Places Worldwide, in the oceans (map shows Lophius piscatorius)

Fun Facts

  • Anglerfish live in the dark depths of the ocean.
  • They have huge mouths with sharp teeth to catch their food.
  • They have unusual and sometimes scary appearances.
  • In some species, the males are much smaller than the females and actually live attached to them!

Past Lessons

162 February 5, 2025 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

No Upcoming Lessons