Atlantic footballfish

The Atlantic footballfish (Himantolophus groenlandicus), also known as the man-gobbler, is an anglerfish found in extreme depths of the ocean. Despite its name, this species lives in all oceans, but is primarily found in cold and temperate regions.[1]

Atlantic footballfish
Atlantic footballfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Lophiiformes
Family:
Himantolophidae
Genus:
Himantolophus
Species:
H. groenlandicus
Binomial name
Himantolophus groenlandicus

Description

Female Atlantic footballfish are about 61 cm (24 in) long, and weigh about 11 kg (24 lb).Males are much smaller, only 4 cm (1.6 in). The female's extremely rotund body is studded with bony plates, each bearing a central spine. The modified ray on the head makes a thick "fishing-rod", tipped with a lure on a central luminous bulb. It uses this to attract smaller fish in the dark abyss. Despite the male's tiny size, it is not parasitic, unlike the males of many other anglerfish.

Relationship with humans

Due to being found in the deep water, few human interactions have occurred. Despite its fearsome appearance, it poses no actual danger. It is of little food value.

Predators

Several specimens have been reported from the stomachs of sperm whales caught in the Azores.[2]

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References
  1. "Himantolophus groenlandicus_Atlantic footballfish".
  2. CLARKE, R., 1956. "Sperm whales of the Azores". Discovery Reports, 28: 237-298, pis I-II.
  • Longmann's Animal Encyclopedia
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