Male Angler Fish

A Closer Look at the Male Angler Fish

Angler fishes are definitely among the most fascinating specie of the underwater environment. Not only it is famous for its cunning predatory techniques that would definitely give any professional angler a run for its money, but also it is notoriously popular for its unusually grotesque feature, easily earning the name the common black devil fish. With its sharp teeth, highly flexible stomach that allows it to swallow any organism twice its size, and the natural lure right on its forehead that effectively acts as a bait, this type of fish is definitely specifically designed as a vicious eating machine.

However, its uniqueness simply doesn't end there. Another interesting fact is the discovery that the male angler fish is significantly smaller than its average female counterpart. In fact, it took some time before scientists discovered that the small appendage found in the rear part of the typical female angler is actually the male angler fish that has attached itself and acts as a parasite to its female host. By fusing their bloodstream, the male angler fish derives its main source of nourishment from its host and spends the remainder of his life virtually attached and dependent of the female angler fish. Eventually the male angler fish will degenerate and lose its organs along with his eyes and simply becomes a part of the female fish. However, while attached to the female, the male fertilizes his mate's eggs once she is ready for ovulation and proceeds to be an inseparable and lifelong mate. Once it matures, it is highly critical for a male angler fish to fin its female host, otherwise it will eventually die since it doesn't have its own digestive tube in order to live independently.

Since the natural habitats of angler fishes are so far down in the ocean's bottom, scientific researches are not that frequent. Years ago, scientists were baffled as to why all the angler fish samples they have are female species, since the male fish is practically unnoticeable. Given such facts, its not surprising that angler fishes have become one of the fascinating deep sea dweller that man has ever come across with. If you closely scrutinize the pictures taken of the infamous angler fish, then from its looks alone you will immediately realize that its definitely not one of those docile and meek fishes that swim in aquariums. Still, its uniqueness has proven to be its ally in surviving in the underwater wilderness.