Dictionary of Fish : Fish Directory - reference guide to Angler Fish

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Facts about Angler Fish

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.

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