To the question What is the name of a fish with a flashlight on its head? given by the author Alex @|# Jeff #|@ Hardy the best answer is All the witty tools and devices that we use in different areas of life, we attribute to our ingenuity and intelligence and tend to think that if it were not for us, nothing like this would ever have arisen on earth.
But it is worth looking at the realm of nature, as it turns out that almost all of these wonderful ideas that we are so proud of were "invented" long ago and successfully used by "unreasonable" animals. This also applies to such a human invention as a fishing rod with artificial bait.
In total, the anglerfish genus (Lophius) has about 12 species. The black-bellied anglerfish (L. Budegassa) lives in the Atlantic from Ireland to Senegal and in the Mediterranean Sea, and the American anglerfish (L. Americanus) lives along the American coast from Newfoundland to Brazil. In the northern part of its range, it lives at shallow depths, and descends to considerable depths in tropical waters.
Chaunacidae family This family is represented by only one species of chaunax (chaunax piktus), living at depths of 200–500 m in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. The entire body of this fish is covered with spines, and only a short front ray (illicium) has been preserved from the spiny dorsal fin.
Family bats, or sea bats (ogcocephalidae)
The family contains 7–8 genera and about 35 benthic species living in tropical and subtropical waters of the World Ocean.
A short "rod" (illicium), which is crowned with a ""bait"" (escoy), is drawn into a special vagina - a tube located just above the mouth. A hungry fish throws out an illicium and lures prey by rotating the esca.
In lasiognathus (Lasiognathus saccostoma), the basal part of the illium looks like a long rod that retracts into the vagina, and its thin and flexible end part is crowned with an esca with three hooks.
The whole structure looks like a real equipped fishing rod. The ceration (Ceratias holboelli) has an equally unusual structure: its basal part is greatly elongated and is located in a special canal on the back, where it can be freely extended or retracted. Luring prey, this anglerfish gradually moves the luminous "bait" (escu) to its huge mouth and swallows the victim at the right moment. A kind of benthic thaumacht (Thumatichthys axeli), from a depth of about 3600 m, has a luminous "bait" located in its mouth. Unlike other deep-sea anglerfish, the thaumatiht apparently hunts not in the water column, but lying on the bottom.
There are also hairy anglers (Сaulophrynidae), but they differ from other families of deep-sea anglers of the suborder Ceratioidei in the absence of an esk bulb.
Resin anglerfish family (Linophrynidae) In linophryna, a relatively short "angler" (illicium) is located above the huge mouth, at the end of the muzzle. At its top there is a swelling covered with villi - esca. This is nothing more than a fishing bait, moreover, luminous.
Special bacteria live inside the esca, which produce a luminous substance in the course of their life. Moreover, the bait does not just glow, it flashes at a certain frequency, and the fish itself regulates the frequency of these flashes. The fact is that bacteria glow only when enough blood enters the esca through the blood vessels. By changing the pressure of the blood, linofrin, thereby, it “turns on”, then “turns off” its bait
Answer from 2 answers[guru]
Hey! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What is the name of a fish with a flashlight on its head?
Answer from ***Toyasuka Toyakisa***[guru]
deep sea anglerfish
Answer from Ashan Musin[active]
These are anglerfish - linofrina, galateatauma and others. In the linophrine angler, an outgrowth rises in the upper part of the head - a “fishing rod” with a “flashlight” at the end. Attracted by a flickering light, the fish swim to it and immediately become the prey of a predator. In the Galateataum anglerfish, the adaptation to lure prey is even more cunning: the luminous organs are located in the mouth. Enchanted by the light, the fish swims into the trap itself. The angler can only close his mouth and swallow the prey.
The glowing organs of deep-sea fish in the semi-darkness of the depths, like beacons, help the fish navigate and not fight off the flock. But most often, luminous organs are a kind of device for baiting prey. The structure of the luminous organs of fish is different. In some, mucus glows, in others, the glow is caused by microorganisms that have settled on the fish. Luminous organs are a kind of headlights. In some fish, they are located near the eyes, in others - at the tip of the long processes of the head, in others - in the mouth. Some fish have eyes that emit light. They have the properties of both illuminating and seeing. There are fish that emit light from the surface of their bodies.
Answer from Oksana Varsegova[newbie]
Monkfish, or, as it is also called, the European anglerfish, got its name because of its unattractive appearance: it has a huge, flattened head and a large mouth armed with a palisade of sharp teeth. In length, such a fish can reach 2 meters and weigh more than 20 kg.
But this fish is unique not only because of its appearance (which, fortunately, did not affect its palatability Oh). Monkfish spend most of their lives hiding at the bottom and waiting for prey for hours motionless. He lures the victim with a beam-rod - a long outgrowth on the forehead, ending with a fluorescent "flashlight". It is worth a fish, for example, a cod, a stingray or any other bottom fish, to approach the bait, like a huge mouth monkfish opens and then, with surprising speed, slams shut, leaving the "lunch" no chance of salvation.
Extremely unattractive appearance. According to one version, that is why it was named that way. It lives on the bottom, hiding in the sand or between stones. It feeds on fish and various crustacean mollusks, which it catches using its dorsal fin as a fishing rod with a bait hanging in front of its mouth.
Description
Monkfish belongs to the anglerfish order, the ray-finned family. It is also known as the European anglerfish. It grows up to 1.5 - 2 m in size, can weigh up to 20 kg or more. In catches, it is usually found up to 1 m long and weighing up to 10 kg. The body is flattened, disproportionate, the head occupies up to two thirds of its length. The color of the upper part is spotty, brown with a greenish or reddish tinge. The belly is white.
The mouth is wide, with sharp, inwardly curved large teeth. The skin is bare, without scales. The eyes are small, sight and smell are poorly developed. The angler fish has leathery folds around its mouth that constantly move like algae, which allows it to hide and camouflage in the benthic vegetation.
The anterior dorsal fin in females plays a special role. It consists of six rays, three of which are isolated and grow separately. The first of them is directed forward and forms a kind of fishing rod hanging down to the very mouth. It has a base, a thin part - a "line", and a leathery luminous lure.
Habitat and varieties
The monkfish is found in fishermen's catches in many seas. The European anglerfish is common in the Atlantic. Here it lives at depths ranging from 20 to 500 m or more. It can be found in the seas along the coast of Europe, in the waters of the Barents and North Seas.
The Far Eastern species of monkfish lives off the coast of Japan and Korea. Occurs in the Sea of Okhotsk, Yellow, South China Seas. Usually inhabits depths from 40-50 to 200 m. The American angler lives in the northern part of the Atlantic at shallow depths, and in the southern regions it is more common in the coastal zone. It can be found at depths up to 600 m with a wide range of water temperatures (0 - 20 °C).
Juveniles hatched from eggs differ in appearance from adults. At the beginning of their lives, they feed on plankton, live for several months in the upper layers of the water, and upon reaching a length of 7 cm, they change their appearance, sink to the bottom, and become predators. Intensive growth continues during the first year of life.
Not so long ago, related species of monkfish were discovered in the depths of the ocean. They were called deep sea anglers. They can withstand enormous water pressure. They live at depths up to 2000 m.
Nutrition
Monkfish spends a lot of time in ambush. It lies motionless at the bottom, buried in the sand or disguised among rocks and aquatic vegetation. "Hunting" can take him 10 hours or more. At this time, he actively plays with bait to attract a curious victim. The leathery bulb surprisingly accurately copies the movements of a fry or shrimp.
When an interested fish is nearby, the monkfish opens its mouth and sucks in water along with the victim. It takes a matter of milliseconds, so there is practically no chance to escape from sharp teeth. In special cases, the anglerfish can jump forward by pushing with its fins, or use the reactivity of a jet of water released through its narrow gill slits.
Most often, stingrays, eels, gobies, flounders and other demersal fish predominate in the diet of monkfish. He also does not disdain shrimp and crabs. During intense zhora after spawning, it can rise to the upper layers of the water and, despite poor eyesight and smell, attack mackerel and herring. Monkfish have been reported hunting waterfowl. It can be dangerous at such moments for a person.
Monkfish: breeding
The male and female anglerfish are so different in appearance and size that until some time experts attributed them to different classes. Monkfish breeding is as special a moment as its appearance and way of hunting.
The male anglerfish is several times smaller than the female. To fertilize the eggs, he needs to find his chosen one and not lose sight of her. To do this, the males simply bite into the body of the female. The structure of the teeth does not allow them to free themselves, and they do not want to.
Over time, the female and male fuse together, forming a single organism with common body. Part of the organs and systems of the "husband" atrophies. He no longer needs eyes, fins, stomach. Nutrients come through the blood vessels from the body of the "wife". It remains only for the male to fertilize the eggs at the right time.
They are swept out by the female usually in the spring. The fecundity of the sea anglerfish is quite high. On average, the female spawns up to 1 million eggs. This occurs at a depth, looks like a long (up to 10 m) and wide (up to 0.5 m) ribbon. The female can carry several “husbands” on her body so that they fertilize a large number of eggs at the right time.
Monkfish (see photo above) are not able to compare the feeling of hunger with the size of the prey. There is evidence of anglers catching fish larger than themselves but unable to release them due to the structure of their teeth. It happens that a monkfish catches a waterfowl and chokes on feathers, which leads to his death.
"Rod" is only in females. Each species of these fish has a peculiar bait peculiar only to them. It differs not only in form. Bacteria living in the mucus of the leathery bulb emit light of a certain range. For this they need oxygen.
The angler can adjust the glow. After eating, he temporarily compresses the blood vessels leading to the bait, and this reduces the flow of oxygen-enriched blood there. The bacteria stop glowing - the flashlight goes out. It is temporarily not needed, besides, the light can attract a larger predator.
Monkfish, although nasty in appearance, the meat is tasty, and in some regions it is considered a delicacy. The courage and voracity of this predator give reason for fear to divers and scuba divers. From a hungry anglerfish, especially a large one, it is better to stay away.
The depths of the ocean hide a large number of unusual creatures. They have a frightening appearance, unusual behavior. A fish with a flashlight on its head is called a monkfish. She has a very repulsive appearance, which does not prevent her from eating meat of this species. In European and Asian countries, this fish is considered a delicacy. She received such recognition for her high taste qualities.
The monkfish has a very repulsive appearance, but is still used in cooking.
general characteristics
There is one more the name of a fish with a flashlight on its head is an anglerfish. This is a predator that belongs to the order of anglerfish and to the class of bony fish. Lives at the bottom of the sea. It reaches two meters in length. Average weight- 20 kg. Large individuals with a weight of 57 kg are also known.
The body is flattened, compressed in the ventral direction. The size of the mouth is several times larger than the head.
The jaw of the anglerfish is inactive, the mouth is several times larger than the head
Distinctive feature Monkfish is a slightly protruding lower jaw. She is immobile. The mouth is decorated with sharp teeth, which are slightly bent inward. The jaws have flexible and thin bones that allow the angler to swallow large fish. Small eyes are located at the top of the head.
A separate process grows from the dorsal fin. It is shifted to the upper jaw and is a rod. On it is a leathery formation - it serves as bait and is a bag of mucus in which luminous bacteria live. The anglerfish can extinguish the light for a while so as not to attract the attention of large predators.
Habitat deep sea fish with a flashlight is varied. It can be found in countries such as:
- Canada;
- Japan;
- Korea.
Some representatives of the species are found in the waters of the Black and Yellow Seas. It can live at different depths.
Angler fish can live at different depths The main representatives of the species
Ichthyologists distinguish several varieties of anglerfish. In addition to the American monkfish, the European anglerfish is distinguished. His body is flattened from back to belly. It grows up to two meters, its weight exceeds 20 kg. It has a huge crescent-shaped mouth. Powerful pectoral fins allow it to dig into the sand. Most often, individuals of a brown color are found. Lives only in the Atlantic Ocean.
Black-bellied anglers are similar to their closest relatives. They have a wide head and small body sizes (the length of an individual is 50 cm). characteristic feature is the wide abdominal part. Painted in gray or beige colors. There is no rod on the head.
The Burmese monkfish is distinguished by its flattened head and short tail. The length of an individual does not exceed one meter. The body is covered with a leathery fringe. The lower part of the body is white, the upper is dark.
The terrible appearance of anglers gave rise to a lot of superstitions. Many people are sure that monkfish attack swimmers. During the period of hunger, fish rise to the top layer of water and can bite a person. At other times, the angler lives at the bottom and does not collide with drivers.
Due to its high palatability, monkfish meat has become popular, so ecologists have proposed a ban on fishing to preserve the species. In the UK since 2007 it has been illegal to harvest anglerfish.
Nutrition Features
A fish with a flashlight on its head is a predator. Therefore, its main food is other marine inhabitants. The monkfish rises to the upper layer of water, where herring and mackerel become its prey. Ichthyologists have noted a case when an angler attacked birds that landed on the water.
The angler is a predatory fish that feeds on other types of fish.
Basic diet:
- cod or gerbil;
- slopes;
- sharks;
- acne;
- crustaceans;
- shellfish.
A fish with a lantern on its head is an ideal hunter. She is able to sit in ambush for hours. Natural coloring allows you to merge with the ground or plants. Monkfish exposes his rod and waits for the victim. As soon as the fish grab the bait, they immediately swallow it. A feature of the anglerfish is the ability to hold its breath for several minutes.
Anglerfish breeding
Representatives of this species are distinguished by special reproduction. Females and males are very different from each other and ichthyologists have long considered them to be different fish. When the male reaches the age of puberty, he goes in search of a life partner. In this he is helped by a large olfactory organ and huge eyes.
Ichthyologists do not know how long the search takes. As soon as the female is found, the male bites into her jaws. His tongue and lips completely grow into the body of the bride. She takes him completely dependent and supplies him with nutrients through ingrown vessels. In the male, the intestines, jaws and eyes atrophy. The gills and heart work in his body - they supply the body with oxygen.
For a long time, female and male anglerfish were considered representatives different types
During spawning, the female lays eggs, and the male inseminates her milk. This happens in winter and spring. Caviar comes out in the form of a strip. Its length can reach 9 meters. Young fish move to a bottom lifestyle with a body length of 6 cm. Before that, they live in the upper layer of water and feed on small crustaceans and fry. It is noteworthy that females can carry up to four males at the same time.
Monk fish - another one most interesting representative underwater fauna of our planet.
They say the devil is fictional character… But no! AT sea waters, a creature lives among the dark depths, the appearance of which is so terrible and ugly that, except as a monkfish, scientists have not come up with a name for it!
It is worth saying that in the aquatic fauna there is another monkfish - a mollusk, but now we will talk about a representative of ray-finned fish. Scholars attribute this marine life to the anglerfish order, which includes the anglerfish family and the anglerfish genus.
Currently, there are two types of monkfish on earth - European and American. Let's look at the photo of the monkfish and take a closer look at its appearance ...
Appearance of the angler
The first thing worth noting in the appearance of this unsightly fish is the “rod”. This is such an outgrowth on the head of a monkfish, which is really very similar to a fishing rod. With such a device, the fish lures its prey, as it were, “catches” it. That is why they gave these fish the name - anglers.
The body length of the monkfish is about 2 meters, while the animal weighs almost 20 kilograms. The body has a slightly flattened shape. In general, the anglerfish is not a very pleasant-looking fish. It is all covered with some kind of leathery outgrowths that look similar to snags and algae. The head is disproportionately large, huge and unpleasant in monkfish and mouth.
The skin color is brown, on the ventral part of the body it is lighter, almost white.
Where does the monkfish live?
The habitat of this fish is the Atlantic Ocean. The angler is found off the coast of Europe, off the coast of Iceland. In addition, monkfish have been found in the waters of the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, North Sea and Barents Sea.
Lifestyle and behavior of monkfish in nature
The depth at which these fish usually live is from 50 to 200 meters. Most often they are found at the very bottom, because there is nothing more pleasant for a monkfish than just lying quietly on the sand or silt. But it is only at first glance that the angler is idle. In fact, this is one of the ways to hunt. The animal freezes, waiting for its prey. And when she swims by, she grabs her and eats her.
The anglerfish also knows how to hunt in another way - with the help of its fins, it jumps along the bottom and thus overtakes its prey.
What do sea devils eat?
The main food for these fish is other, usually smaller, fish. The monkfish menu consists of katrans, atherins, Kalkans, stingrays and others.
A gadget on the head in the form of a luminous fishing rod attracts small fish and leads it directly ... into the mouth of the angler. How does anglerfish reproduce?
When the mating season begins for these fish, they descend to a depth of 2000 meters to lay eggs there. One female monkfish is capable of laying a clutch of about three million eggs. The whole accumulation of eggs forms a wide ten-meter ribbon, which is divided into hexagonal cells.
After a certain period of time, these honeycomb cells are destroyed. Freeing the eggs, which, in turn, float freely, being carried by the undercurrent.
After a few days, small larvae are born from the eggs, which, after 4 months, become anglerfish fry. After the fry grow up to 6 centimeters in length, they sink to the bottom, in shallow water.
Enemies of sea devils
This area of monkfish life is still little studied.
Is the angler dangerous to humans?
In fact, monkfish are not in the habit of attacking humans. But if you accidentally prick your leg on the angler's thorn, you can hurt yourself painfully. In addition, the angler does not like "intrusive visitors" and can show all the sharpness of his teeth to those who are very eager to get to know him!
Monkfish, or anglerfish, is a predatory marine bottom fish that belongs to the class of ray-finned fish, the subclass of new-finned fish, the infraclass bony fish, the anglerfish order, the anglerfish suborder, the anglerfish family, the anglerfish genus (large anglerfish), or sea devils (lat. Lophius ).
The etymology of the Latin name for sea devils has not been fully elucidated. Some scholars are of the opinion that it comes from a modified Greek word "λοφίο", denoting a comb that resembles the jaws of this fish. Other researchers associate it with a kind of ridge that runs along the entire back. vernacular name"anglerfish" appeared due to the long and modified first ray of the dorsal fin, equipped with a bait (escoy) and resembling a fisherman's fishing rod. And thanks to the unusual and unattractive appearance of the head of a predator, he was nicknamed "monkfish". Due to the fact that angler fish can move along the seabed, pushing off from it with somewhat modified fins, in some countries anglers call them.
Monkfish (fish) - description, structure, photo. What does a monkfish look like?
Sea devils are rather large predatory fish that live at the bottom and reach a length of 1.5-2 meters. Monkfish weigh 20 or more kilograms. The body and huge head with small gill slits are rather strongly flattened in the horizontal direction. In almost all types of anglerfish, the mouth is very wide and opens almost around the entire circumference of the head. The lower jaw is less mobile than the upper jaw and is slightly pushed forward. Predators are armed with rather large sharp teeth that are bent inward. Thin and flexible jaw bones enable fish to swallow prey that is almost twice their size.
Monkfish eyes are small, set close to each other, located on the top of the head. The dorsal fin consists of two parts separated from each other, one of which is soft and shifted towards the tail, and the second is composed of six rays, three of which are located on the head itself, and three immediately behind it.
The anterior spiny ray of the dorsal fin is strongly shifted towards the upper jaw and is a kind of “rod”, at the top of it there is a leathery formation (esca), in which luminous bacteria live, which are bait for potential prey.
Due to the fact that the pectoral fins of the monkfish are reinforced with several bones of the skeleton, they are quite powerful and allow the fish not only to burrow into the bottom soil, but also to move along it by crawling or using peculiar jumps. The pelvic fins are less in demand in the process of movement of the angler fish and are located on the throat.
It is noteworthy that the body of the anglerfish, painted in dark gray or dark brown colors (often with randomly arranged light spots), is covered not with scales, but with various spike-like outgrowths, tubercles, long or figured leathery fringe, similar to algae. Such camouflage allows the predator to easily ambush in algae thickets or on a sandy bottom.
Where does the anglerfish (monkfish) live?
The range of distribution of the genus anglerfish is quite extensive. It includes the western waters of the Atlantic Ocean, washing the shores of Canada and the United States of America, the eastern Atlantic, whose waves beat on the shores of Iceland and the British Isles, as well as the cooler depths of the North, Barents and Baltic Seas. Separate varieties of monkfish are found near the coasts of Japan and Korea, in the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Yellow Sea, in the Eastern part Pacific Ocean and in the Black Sea. Anglerfish also live in the depths of the Indian Ocean, covering the southern tip of the African continent. Depending on the species, sea devils live at depths from 18 meters to 2 kilometers or more.
What does the anglerfish eat?
By way of feeding, sea devils are predators. The basis of their diet is fish that live in the bottom water column. Gerbils and small stingrays and small sharks, eels, flounders, cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish) and various crustaceans enter the stomach of anglers. Sometimes these predators rise closer to the surface of the water, where they hunt for herring or mackerel. Including cases were noted when anglers attacked even birds peacefully swaying on the sea waves.
All sea devils hunt from ambush. Due to their natural camouflage, they cannot be seen when they lie motionless on the bottom, buried in the ground or hiding in thickets of algae. A potential victim is attracted by a luminous bait, which is located at the monkfish at the end of a kind of rod - an elongated ray of the front dorsal fin. At the moment when crustaceans, invertebrates or fish passing by touch the esca, the angler sharply opens its mouth. As a result of this, a vacuum is formed, and the flow of water, together with the prey that does not have time to do anything, rushes into the mouth of the predator, because the time it takes does not exceed 6 milliseconds.
Taken from: bestiarium.kryptozoologie.net
Waiting for prey, anglerfish are able to remain absolutely motionless for a long time and hold their breath. The pause between breaths can last from one to two minutes.
Previously, it was believed that the “fishing rod” of the monkfish with bait, which is movable in all directions, serves to attract prey, and anglers open their large mouth only when curious fish touch the esque. However, scientists were able to establish that the mouth of predators automatically opens, even if the bait touches any object passing by.
Angler fish are quite greedy and voracious. This often leads to their death. Having a large mouth and stomach, the anglerfish is able to capture enough big booty. Because of the sharp and long teeth, the hunter cannot let go of his prey, which does not fit in his stomach, and chokes on it. There are cases when in the stomach of a caught predator, fishermen found prey only 7-10 cm smaller than the monkfish itself.
Types of sea devils (anglers), names and photos
The genus of anglers (lat. Lophius) today includes 7 species:
- Lophius americanus (Valenciennes, 1837) - American anglerfish (American monkfish)
- Lophius budegassa (Spinola, 1807) - black-bellied anglerfish, or South European anglerfish, or Budegassa anglerfish
- Lophius gastrophysus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1915) – West Atlantic anglerfish
- Lophius litulon (Jordan, 1902) - Far Eastern monkfish, yellow anglerfish, Japanese anglerfish
- Lophius piscatorius (Linnaeus, 1758) - European monkfish
- Lophius vaillanti (Regan, 1903) - South African anglerfish
- Lophius vomerinus (Valenciennes, 1837) - Cape (Burmese) monkfish
Below is a description of several types of anglers.
- Monkfish American (American anglerfish) ( Lophius americanus)
This is a dimersal (bottom) predatory fish, having a length of 0.9 m to 1.2 m with a body weight of up to 22.6 kg. Thanks to its huge rounded head and body tapering towards the tail, the American angler resembles a tadpole. The lower jaw of a large wide mouth is strongly advanced forward. It is noteworthy that even with a closed mouth, this predator has visible lower teeth. Both the upper and lower jaws are literally dotted with sharp thin teeth, inclined deep into the mouth and reaching a length of 2.5 cm. It is interesting that in the lower jaw, the monkfish teeth are almost all large and arranged in three rows. On the upper jaw, large teeth grow only in the center, and in the lateral areas they are smaller, in addition, there are small teeth at the top of the oral cavity. The gills, devoid of covers, are located immediately behind the pectoral fins. The eyes of a small monkfish are directed upwards. Like all anglers, the first ray is elongated and has a leathery outgrowth that glows due to bacteria that have settled there. The leathery coverings of the back and sides are colored in chocolate-brown tones of various shades and are covered with small light or dark spots, while the belly has an off-white color. The life expectancy of this species of monkfish can reach 30 years. The distribution range of the American anglerfish includes the northwestern part of the Atlantic Ocean with depths up to 670 m, stretching from the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Quebec to the northeastern coast of the North American state of Florida. This predator feels great in waters with temperatures from 0°C to +21°C on sandy, gravel, clay or silty bottom sediments, including those covered with destroyed shells of dead mollusks.
- European anglerfish (European monkfish) ( Lophius piscatorius)
Reaches a length of 2 meters, and the weight of individual individuals exceeds 20 kg. The entire body of these predators is flattened in the direction from the back to the belly. The size of the wide head can be 75% of the length of the entire fish. The European monkfish has a huge crescent-shaped mouth, with a large number of thin, pointed, slightly recurved teeth like a hook, and a lower jaw that is significantly pushed forward. Slit-like gill openings are located behind the wide, skeletal-reinforced pectoral fins that allow European anglers to move along the bottom or burrow into it. The soft, scaleless body of these bottom fish covered with a variety of bone spikes or leathery growths of various lengths and shapes. The same "decorations" in the form of a beard border the jaws and lips, as well as the lateral surface of the head of the European monkfish. The posterior dorsal fin is opposite the anal. The front dorsal fin consists of 6 rays, the first of which is located on the anglerfish's head and can reach a length of 40-50 cm. At its top there is a leather "pouch" that glows in the dark layers of the bottom water. The coloration of individuals varies somewhat depending on the habitat of these fish. The back and sides, covered with dark spots, can be painted in brown, reddish or greenish-brown tones, in contrast to the abdomen, which has a white color. The European monkfish lives in the Atlantic Ocean, washing the coast of Europe, from the coast of Iceland to the Gulf of Guinea. These "cute creatures" can be found not only in the cold waters of the North, Baltic and Barents Seas or in the English Channel, but also in the warmer Black Sea. European anglers live at depths from 18 to 550 m.
- Black-bellied anglerfish (South European anglerfish, Budegassa anglerfish) ( Lophius budegassa)
In structure and form, this species marine fish it is very close to its European relative, but unlike it, it has a more modest size and a head that is not so wide relative to the body. The length of the monkfish ranges from 0.5 to 1 meter. The structure of the jaw apparatus is no different from individuals of other species. This type of monkfish gets its name from its characteristic black belly, while its back and sides are painted in various shades of reddish brown or pinkish gray. Depending on the habitat, the body of some individuals may be covered with dark or light spots. Leathery outgrowths of yellowish or light sandy color, bordering the jaws and head of the black-bellied anglerfish, are short and rather sparse. The life expectancy of the black-bellied monkfish does not exceed 21 years. This species has become widespread in the waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean throughout the entire space - from Great Britain and Ireland to the coast of Senegal, where the anglerfish lives at depths from 300 to 650 m. kilometers.
- Far Eastern monkfish (yellow anglerfish, Japanese anglerfish) ( Lophius litulon)
It is a typical inhabitant of the waters of the Japan, Okhotsk, Yellow and East China Seas, as well as a small part of the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Japan, where it occurs at depths ranging from 50 m to 2 km. Individuals of this species grow up to 1.5 meters in length. Like all representatives of the genus Lophius, the Japanese monkfish has a horizontally flattened body, but unlike its relatives, it has a longer tail. Sharp, bent to the pharynx teeth in the lower, advanced jaw, arranged in two rows. The leathery body of the yellow anglerfish, covered with numerous outgrowths and bony tubercles, is painted in a monochromatic brown color, over which light spots with a darker outline are randomly scattered. In contrast to the back and sides, the belly of the Far Eastern monkfish is light. The dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are dark in color but have light tips.
- Cape angler, or burmese monkfish, ( Lophius vomerinus)
It is distinguished by a huge flattened head and a rather short tail, which occupies less than one third of the length of the entire body. The size of adults does not exceed 1 meter. Their life expectancy is no more than 11 years. The Cape angler lives at depths of 150 to 400 m in the southeastern Atlantic and western Indian Ocean, along the coasts of Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa. The light brown body of the Burmese monkfish is strongly flattened from the back towards the abdomen and is covered with a fringe of numerous leathery outgrowths. The esca, located at the top of the long first ray of the dorsal fin, resembles a patch. Gill slits are located behind the pectoral fins and slightly below their level. The lower part of the body (abdomen) is lighter, almost white.
