Monkfish (Lophius piscatorius)

The Monkfish is a name used to referred to several different species of saltwater fish including Lophius piscatorius.  These fish, much like the Stonefish and Frogfish, are masters of camouflage.  Monkfish have a series of appendages that look much like seaweed, and help them to blend in perfectly.  They lie in wait on the bottom and use a "lure" of sorts that comes out of their heads.  This "lure" is actually their first dorsal spine.  As its prey gets close this fish will suddenly open its mouth and the suction brings the prey quickly into the Monkfish's mouth.  They are able to swallow fish almost the same size as them due to their expandable stomachs!      

Lophius piscatorius goes by a few different names throughout the world including the Anglerfish, Fishing Frog, Frogfish and the Sea Devil. These odd creatures are found in waters of up to 120 meters in places like the Northeast Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Barents Sea.  Reaching lengths of 2 meters and weighing in at 60kg, much of their weigh and length is in their heads.  This species of Monkfish have two large rounded breast fins that are located behind their heads.  They use these breast fins as a stabilizer when they are laying on the bottom.

You can check out the Monkfish in the videos below.  We are not able to tell if these species are indeed Lophius piscatorius.


If you have any questions or comments about the Monkfish leave us a comment below.

Deep Sea Angler Fish

The Angler Fish is only found in the deep depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic ocean, sometimes up to a mile deep! The Angler Fish can grow up to 3-1/2' long, but most of the over 200 different varieties are about 1' long. The Angler Fish has a few strange traits including that fact that a male Angler Fish will literally bite into the female and then over time will physically fuse to the female. They share bloodstreams and the male loses his eyes and all his organs except the reproductive ones! Check out this amazing video...



A female Angler Fish can carry more than 6 males on her body at once! Also known as the Monkfish or Headfish in some places of the world, the Angler fish also has a nature lure coming out of it's head which lights up to attract it's prey... What an amazing, but very ugly fish! Believe it or not the Deep Sea Angler Fish is also considered to be very tasty. In fact its flesh in the tail has been compared to lobster! To see the complete deep sea documentary click here!

NEXT

PREVIOUS