Black Angler

D-Schwarzer Seeteufel; GB-Black angler, blackbellied angler; DK- Sort havtaske; PL-Żabnica afrykańska; EST- Mustkõht-merikurat; RU- Чернобрюхий удильщик; FIN- Mustavatsakrotti; S- Mindre marulk

Characters

1) Head very big and broad.
2) Mouth very big, semicircular.
3) First dorsal fin ray tranformed like a fishing rod.
●) Body flattened; without scales.
●) 9 to 10 rays in 2nd dorsal fin; black peritoneum.
Often 50 cm, max. 1 m length.

Similar species

White Angler - often significantly larger; 11 to 12 rays in the second dorsal fin; white peritoneum.

Biology

Bottom living fish on sandy and muddy grounds, often partially burried in. Occurs up to 1000 m depth.

Diet

Mainly fish, which he attracks with his fishing rod.

Importance

Commercially important as popular and expensive food fish.

Endangerment

Presumably strongly endangered due to over fishing.