It’s very likely that you’ve seen or heard about the anglerfish. They’re one of those nightmarish creatures from the deep sea that look like something out of a sci-fi horror movie, but they’re actually pretty misunderstood. And interestingly, there are a whole pile of different ones — and some are actually relatively cute. Relatively.
According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), they developed that unique fishing pole dangling off their foreheads because they’re lazy. Well, not because they’re lazy, exactly, but because they evolved to work smarter, not harder. Chasing prey burns a lot of calories, so if you can get the prey to basically swim into your mouth, that’s ideal.
“A fish fishing for its own food might seem like an unusual choice, but this method is suited perfectly to the deep sea,” MBARI explains. “In the vast and expansive waters of the midnight zone, food is few and far between. Pursuing prey would waste a lot of energy. Instead, a hungry anglerfish merely sets out its bioluminescent bait and waits. The glowing esca entices small fishes and crustaceans to come closer, then the anglerfish’s massive mouth and sharp teeth snap shut for a meal. ”
The fishing pole is called the “illicium”, and it’s basically an extension of the fish’s dorsal fin. The bioluminescent bulb at the end — the part that attracts fish like a moth to a flame — is called the “esca.” Each species has a unique combination of rod and lure. Some are long and feathery, some are short and stubby, some have bulbous esca and some have tiny, delicate ones.
They’re uniquely suited to their environment, and despite their looks (or perhaps because of them), the anglerfish is one of the most interesting creatures on the planet.
