Page 20 - Super Shark Encyclopedia

DEVIL OF THE DEEP

DEEP-SEA ANGLERFISH

Waving movements of
the dorsal fin help the
The deep sea is so vast and dark that meat eaters sometimes anglerfish swim along
struggle to find prey. The anglerfish has its own way to draw them
out of the gloom—it carries a glowing lantern. Other fish can’t resist
inspecting the light. When an especially inquisitive one comes
close, the anglerfish grabs at it with its massive jaws. Its long,
stabbing teeth ensure that the unsuspecting fish doesn’t get away.

AT A GLANCE

• SIZE 3–7 in (8–18 cm) long; males ¾–1 in
(2–2.8 cm) long
• HABITAT Deep sea; larvae live nearer the
surface
• LOCATION Oceans all around the world

• DIET Fish and other animals of the deep sea
Flexible skeleton to
cope with pressure
in deep water

STATS AND FACTS

SWIMMING DEPTH
Food is so rare in “Its round
ft 5,000 10,000 15,000 the deep sea that an
anglerfish needs to
m 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 be able to tackle large body makes
330–4,900 ft 14,800 ft/4,500 m prey. One anglerfish
(100–1,500 m) (max.) that was not even fully
SIZE grown was found with
a viperfish four times it wobble
Size of anglerfish 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm) the length of its own
1
body in its stomach.
as it swims”
Size of viperfish prey 9 ⁄2 in (24 cm)
1
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