Come identificare Anglerfish

Per identificare Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius), osserva queste caratteristiche chiave.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo

flat

Colorazione

Dorsally mottled brown, green, or grey, often with darker blotches, providing excellent camouflage against the seabed. Ventrally lighter, whitish.

Tipo di squame

none

Posizione della bocca

superior

Caratteristiche distintive

Extremely broad, flattened head, comprising up to two-thirds of the total body weight., Very wide mouth with numerous sharp, inwardly curving teeth., First dorsal fin ray modified into an 'illicium' (fishing rod) with a fleshy 'esca' (lure) at its tip., Skin is smooth and scaleless, covered in dermal flaps and filaments that further aid in camouflage., Large, fan-like pectoral fins.

Pinna dorsale

Two dorsal fins: the first is highly modified into three separate spines, with the anterior-most forming the illicium and esca. The second dorsal fin is soft-rayed and located posteriorly.

Pinna caudale

Rounded caudal fin.

Pinna pettorale

Large, broad, and fleshy pectoral fins, used for 'walking' along the seabed.

Pinne distintive

Pelvic fins are jugular (located anterior to the pectoral fins).

Consigli per l'identificazione

1. 1

   Head Shape and Size

   The most striking feature is its disproportionately large, flattened head, which is much wider than its body and makes up a significant portion of its length.

2. 2

   Illicium and Esca

   Look for the 'fishing rod' (illicium) extending from the top of its head, tipped with a fleshy, worm-like lure (esca). This is unique to anglerfishes.

3. 3

   Mouth and Teeth

   Its enormous, cavernous mouth filled with sharp, recurved teeth is unmistakable.

4. 4

   Skin Texture

   The skin is smooth and scaleless, often adorned with numerous dermal flaps and fringes that help it blend into the seabed.

Esplora Anglerfish