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All About Female Angler Fish
from: Maxx Sports GuidesWhile you may have heard tales about angler fish, you may want to learn more about this highly unique deep-sea fish often referred to as the black devil fish. Typically, angler fish live several miles deep at the ocean's bottom where natural light can't penetrate.
The female angler fish is one of the more popular specie as it's often used as a great example, with its exceptionally cunning predatory skills. Its infamous antennae on its head used as bait to attract prey, it's able to survive the inhospitable world of the deep. The bacteria that infest at the tip of the bait of the female angler fish are responsible for the bioluminescence, often regarded as the cold light display. It's the result of the oxidation of the compound called Luciferin along with the help of certain enzymes scientists refer to as Luciferase.
The fertilized eggs of the female angler fish floats up in the water towards the surface and form a jelly-like mass that eventually hatch. Both the young male and female angler fish soon grow and mature on the surface of the water but at a certain point of their development, the male needs to find a female angler as host through biting and latching on to her abdomen.
Since males don't have digestive tubes and can't live independently, they rely for their nourishment through sharing bloodstreams with the female and the male slowly degenerates as the female tissues grows around the male fish and finally make its descend towards the bottom of the ocean where it will spend its lifetime with the male parasite.
While other fish have swim bladders, which is an air sac that helps prevent sinking and provide buoyancy, the female angler fish would not have lived long enough to truly be what it is today. Its body has also developed to prevent crushing, considering the significant amount of pressure exerted at one mile deep. In view of these facts, it's quite astonishing how animals have adapted to their environment for survival.
Today, there are over 200 angler fish species, although scientists claim they're hoping to discover more during their future deep sea forages. Despite its unsightly and unappealing look, the angler fish is definitely one of the most interesting creatures ever to roam the oceans.
Oregon Fishing News