• Anglerfish
• Bony fish named after their predation characteristics
• A fleshy growth from the fish’s head acts as a lure
• Some are pelagic and some are benthic
• Pelagic are most laterally compressed, whereas the benthic are dorsocentrally compressed with large up pointed mouths
• Most adult female ceratoid anglerfish have a luminescent organ called the esca at the tip of the modified dorsal ray (the illicium, or “fishing rod”)
• Purpose of the esca is to lure prey in the dark, deep sea environments
• The esca is also used to get males’ attention for mating 

Scientific Name:     Rhycherus filamentosus    (Castelnau, 1872)

Common Name:    Tasselled Anglerfish

Distribution:           Endemic to temperate waters of southern Australia, from off Lakes Entrance, Victoria, to Point Sinclair, South Australia, and in northern Tasmania.

Summary:               A  moderately large and very well-camouflaged anglerfish with skin densely covered in long filaments, and a large fishing lure resembling a marine worm.. 

Habitat:                   Pilons at Piers/Jetty, live on rocky reefs that are covered in macroalgae

Depth:                      2 – 60 m

Size:                          0 – 23 cm

Colour:                     Colour varies from greyish colour to purplish colour, brownish to reddish with dark and light bars and blotches and a whitish belly

Body:                     Dorsal fin I+I+I, 12-13; Anal fin 7-8; Caudal fin 9; Pectoral fin 9-11; Pelvic fin 5.                                               Body moderately large, oval, tail base short; skin smooth, without spinules,                                                  and densely covered in long filamentous appendages; illicium ('fishing rod’) tipped                                     with a large U-shaped worm-like appendage (esca).

Diet:                       Carnivore – ambush predator

Reproduction:     Like most anglerfishes found in southern Australian waters, females produce large                                    demersal eggs that are protected until the young hatch.

Details:                                             

References:

http://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3841#classification

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2020). FishBase. Rhycherus filamentosus (Castelnau, 1872). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282605 on 2020-05-19

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2021). FishBase. Rhycherus filamentosus (Castelnau, 1872). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=282605 on 2021-07-03

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