Angler Fish

Fact File: Common Name(s):Angler Fish Scientific Name: Lophius piscatorius Usual Size:45cm, although up to 2m UK Record Weights from rod/line: Shore:68lb-02oz-00dr Canvey Island H.G.T.Legerton 1967 Boat:94lb-12oz-00dr Belfast Lough N.Ireland S.M.A.Neill 1985 MAFF Minimum Size: Shore:   Boat: NFSA: 20cm

Identification: Massive head, with grotesque features. Large crescent shaped mouth, with numerous sharp pointed teeth. Flattened white belly region, with the top half of the body taking a broad expansive posture. Colour varies from greenish brown to blackish grey, with speckled and variegated markings. The head and body have an indistinct outline caused by the presence of numerous small flaps of skin. The gill slits are behind and lower than the base of the pectoral fins. Running along the mid-line of the head and anterior portion of the body, are a series of separate rays. Those above the pectoral fins give rise to the first dorsal fin. The reaming 3 on the head section form long spines. The foremost of which normally has a fleshy tip that the fish uses as a lure to entice it's prey. The second dorsal fin is composed of 11 to 12 fleshy membrane bound rays.  Breeding: Spring to early summer. The egg mass, forms large gelatinous sheets, that maybe 9m by 3m in size, floating near the surface. Juveniles are planktonic, with noticeably elongated fin rays. Habitat: This tends to be a bottom dwelling fish found in a range of water depths, from 2 to 500m. Tending to favor sandy gravel bottoms. Food: Wide variety of small and juvenile fish, including those of dogfish, skate, cod, haddock, whiting, sprats, sandeels, flat fish, etc..... Range: Found all around the coastline of the UK, including the Atlantic, English Channel, and North Sea. Additional Notes:

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