description Dreamer Anglerfish Overview
The dreamer anglerfish refers to species in the genus Oneirodes, the largest genus within the family Oneirodidae of ceratioid anglerfish. These fishes inhabit bathypelagic depths of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Like other deep-sea anglerfish, they possess a bioluminescent illicium, a dorsal fin ray modified into a lure, which is used to attract prey in the darkness of the deep ocean. Sexual dimorphism is extreme, with small parasitic males in many species.
help Dreamer Anglerfish FAQ
What is a dreamer anglerfish?
The dreamer anglerfish refers to species in the genus Oneirodes, the largest genus in the anglerfish family Oneirodidae. These deep sea fishes live in bathypelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans.
How does a dreamer anglerfish attract prey?
Like other ceratioid anglerfish, it uses a bioluminescent lure on a modified structure above the mouth. Light from the lure helps attract small animals close enough to capture.
Where does the dreamer anglerfish live?
Oneirodes species inhabit the dark bathypelagic zone of the open ocean. Their distribution is worldwide in tropical and subtropical oceans, far below the sunlit surface waters.
Why are dreamer anglerfish difficult to study?
They live at great depth and are rarely encountered alive at the surface, so much of what scientists know comes from specialized deep sea sampling. Their small bodies and fragile adaptations can also be damaged during capture.
explore Explore More
Similar to Dreamer Anglerfish
ui.x_see_all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
