Oct 21 2008
Truly a Work of Nature
Have you ever heard of the Anglerfish? If you haven’t, I’ll give you a clue. The Anglerfish was depicted in a hit Pixar movie, Finding Nemo, as a hugely jawed fish that lured/chased Marlin and Dory. Still have no idea? Well then, let me give you a glimpse into the world of the Anglerfish. The Anglerfish is truly a unique creature that lives 3,000 feet and deeper into the pitch black waters of the deep sea. The waters all over the world are home to the Anglerfish, and its scientific name is Melanocetus johnsoni (Whew! Science likes to be complex). According to National Geographic, there are more than 200 species of the Anglerfish. Although some females are only about 5 inches in length, they can swallow prey twice the size of their body! Other females are known to reach up to a maximum length of 3.3 feet. Besides its jaw, the Anglerfish has another distinctive characteristic, which is an elongated dorsal spine that produces a blue-green light through a process known as bioluminescence. This thin, long tip emerges out of its head and naturally glows in the dark, luring its prey. However, what is really unique about the Anglerfish is its reproductive process.
Female Anglerfish |
The male angler is about the size of a small finger and lives like a parasite while “mating.” The male spends most of its life looking for a mate. As soon as the male fully matures, its digestive system starts to degenerate or weaken until it is physically impossible for the male to support itself. Now this is the crazy part. Once the male finds the female, he sinks his teeth into her flesh and attaches his body to hers with one bite. Eventually from that one bite, the male will fuse with the female until they share the same skin and bloodstream. The male’s internal organs and eyes will die out over time, leaving only the testes of the male for the reproduction purposes of the female. This is why the males are generally described as being a permanent “parasitic mate.” The female will carry more than one male on its body. Try six or more! It is very incredible how the Anglerfish survives in the stark conditions of our deep oceans. I’m sure there are plenty more deep fish that are just as strange, but very intriguing as well.
