Anglerfish

There are more than 200 different species of anglerfish. They vary in size. Female anglerfish have a special body part called a lure. The lure looks like a fishing pole. Anglerfish use it to attract their prey.

Anglerfish have large heads. Their mouths are wide. But anglerfish have small bodies. Some anglerfish have long and thin lures. Some have lures that glow.

Some anglerfish live in warm, shallow water. Most live in the deep, dark sea. They live near the ocean floor. Many anglerfish use their fins to walk along the ocean floor.

Anglerfish eat fish and crustaceans. They are good hunters. They sit very still. They wiggle their lures. They wait for prey to swim by. Then they bite very quickly.

Female anglerfish lay eggs. The males fertilize them. Baby anglerfish are see-through. They float. When they grow, they sink to the ocean floor. Anglerfish live approximately 20 years.

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Anglerfish Classification: Fish
Diet: Carnivore
Endangered Status: Critically Endangered
Average Length An anglerfish is approximately as long as a basketball.
Largest Length The largest anglerfish are longer than an acoustic guitar.

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