Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Lophiidae
- Genus
- Lophius
- Species
- americanus
Habitat
The American anglerfish inhabits the continental shelves of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland and Labrador south to North Carolina. It prefers sandy or muddy bottoms at depths ranging from 10 to 1,200 meters, where it can bury itself for ambush hunting. This demersal species is commonly found in areas with low light and soft substrates.
Diet
The American anglerfish is a carnivorous ambush predator that primarily feeds on fish, squid, and crustaceans. It uses its lure to entice prey close before quickly engulfing them with its expansive mouth. Feeding activity is mostly nocturnal, allowing it to capitalize on reduced visibility.
Behavior
American anglerfish are solitary and sedentary, spending most of their time partially buried in sediment on the ocean floor. They exhibit ambush predation by wiggling their lure to attract prey and are primarily nocturnal, with minimal movement or migration. Despite their inactivity, they can be territorial around feeding sites.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.