General Description

Body, fins and illicium ('fishing rod') densely covered in long narrow spinules; illicium with a cluster of larger spinules and a few skin filaments on the tip, bait (esca) absent. Beige, pale pinkish-brown or yellow to yellowish-brown, usually paler below, with irregular, dark-brown to black mottling, especially on head; anterior and dorsal surfaces of head, including dorsal spines and soft dorsal-fin grey in some. 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

Rocky reefs, in depths of 5-70 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