Anglerfish
Anglerfish get their name from the fleshy growth that protrudes from their head, acting as a lure to ambush prey. The lure is reminiscent of what a fisherman, or angler, might use to catch fish. This growth extends from the first spine between the fish’s eyes. The spine can make erratic motions, causing the lure at the tip to wiggle like a prey item, acting as bait. When something to eat gets close enough, the jaws of this strange and wonderful fish snap shut and the meal is swallowed whole.
Anglerfish have huge mouths, armed with spikes for teeth, which prevent lunch from escaping. They are also able to expand the flexible bones of their mouth and body in order to consume prey twice as large as their entire body.
Some Anglerfish, like the one pictured here, occur in very deep oceans. Due to the dark abyss of their environment, many have bioluminescent features which act as soft lights to further lure prey.
Some anglerfish have an unusual method of reproduction. As a male anglerfish matures, he becomes unable to feed due to his digestive system shutting down. He must quickly find a female, which he bites into becoming almost parasitic. The pair are fused together. Then the male is absorbed by the female, becoming little more than a standby reserve of sperm for when the female is ready to spawn.
Availability
| Format | Dimensions | Edition Size | Price |
| Original Mini Masterpiece | 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" | 1/1 | $195.00 |
| Canvas Medium | 15" x 11" | 1/95 | $50.00 |
| Canvas Large | 22" x 16" | 1/50 | $105.00 |
| Canvas X-Large | 30" x 22" | 1/25 | $198.00 |
| Watercolor Print | 7" x 10" | 1/50 | $15.00 |
| ACEO Trading Card | 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" | 1/25 | $9.95 |
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All artwork, photography, and illustrations ©Stephen Kinsey 2009