General Description

Body moderately deep, somewhat compressed, densely covered in spinules, with a distinct tail base; iIllicium ('fishing rod') naked, not covered in spinules, tipped with a distinct fleshy lure (esca). Mottled beige, grey, pinkish-brown to yellowish-brown, paler below, with darker and lighter patches, and a dark spot on the soft dorsal fin. To 15 cm.

Biology

Anglerfishes are well-camouflaged ambush predators with their skin variously covered in spinules, filaments and other appendages to aid their camouflage.

Habitat

Inshore and offshore rocky reefs, in depths of 9-240 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Fishes › Anglerfishes

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed