Anglerfish

Anglerfish are ray-finned fish in the order Lophiiformes. A modified dorsal fin ray acts as a lure, with its tip called the esca and its length the illicium. They occur in marine waters worldwide, inhabiting bottom-associated and open-water environments. Many species are benthic or demersal, while deep-sea anglerfish are pelagic and lack pelvic fins. They are also notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism and, in some deep-sea species, sexual parasitism.

Order

Lophiiformes

Global distribution

Marine waters worldwide

Lure anatomy

The tip is the esca; the structure is the illicium