Melanocetus johnsonii

Alternate names: black seadevil, black seadevil anglerfish, humpback anglerfish

Author: Günther, 1864

MBARI 2014: D695

Click here for a larger image.
MBARI 2014: D695

Click here for a larger image.
Closeup of Melanocetus johnsonii luminescent esca.

MBARI 2014: D695

Click here for a larger image.

Description

General: Dramatic sexual dimorphism. Females globular in shape with a large head and mouth, sharp teeth, distensible stomach, and uniform dark brown or black color. First doral fin ray of female modified into a short lure (illicium) with bulbous, luminous tip (esca). Dwarf males slender in shape and are free-living (non-parasitic). Males have large olfactory organs and inflated nostrils.

Size: To 18 cm total length (female) and to 2.9 cm total length (male).

Reproduction: Oviparous with planktonic larvae.

Geographic Information

Ocean range (global): Worldwide in tropical and temperate waters.

Habitat description: Mesopelagic and bathypelagic.

Published depth range: 100 - 4,500 m

Additional Information

Color: Dark brown or black.

Diet: Fishes and crustaceans.

References

Encyclopedia of Life

Tree of Life

World Register of Marine Species

National Center for Biotechnology Information

Froese, R. and D. Pauly, ed. (2019) "Melanocetus johnsonii, Humpback anglerfish." FishBase. Accessed 10/28/20. http://www.fishbase.us/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2292.

Pietsch, T.W. (2005.) "Melanocetidae. Melanocetus. Black Seadevils." The Tree of Life Web Project. Last modified 11/5/05. http://tolweb.org/Melanocetus/22003.

Media

Phylogenetic Image Gallery

Data Products

Annotated Images

Citation: Melanocetus johnsonii (Günther, 1864) Deep-Sea Guide (DSG) at http://dsg/mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Melanocetus%20johnsonii. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Consulted on 2024-11-22.

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Melanocetus johnsonii Alternate names: black seadevil, black seadevil anglerfish, humpback anglerfish Author: Günther, 1864 MBARI 2014: D695 Click here for a larger image. MBARI 2014: D695 Click here for a larger image. Closeup of Melanocetus johnsonii luminescent esca. MBARI 2014: D695 Click here for a larger image. Taxonomy: Eukaryota (superkingdom) Animalia (kingdom) Chordata (phylum) Vertebrata (subphylum) Gnathostomata (superclass) Actinopterygii (class) Lophiiformes (order) Melanocetidae (family) Melanocetus (genus) Melanocetus johnsonii (species) Description General: Dramatic sexual dimorphism. Females globular in shape with a large head and mouth, sharp teeth, distensible stomach, and uniform dark brown or black color. First doral fin ray of female modified into a short lure (illicium) with bulbous, luminous tip (esca). Dwarf males slender in shape and are free-living (non-parasitic). Males have large olfactory organs and inflated nostrils. Size: To 18 cm total length (female) and to 2.9 cm total length (male). Reproduction: Oviparous with planktonic larvae. Geographic Information Ocean range (global): Worldwide in tropical and temperate waters. Habitat description: Mesopelagic and bathypelagic. Published depth range: 100 - 4,500 m Additional Information Color: Dark brown or black. Diet: Fishes and crustaceans. References Encyclopedia of Life Tree of Life World Register of Marine Species National Center for Biotechnology Information Froese, R. and D. Pauly, ed. (2019) "Melanocetus johnsonii, Humpback anglerfish." FishBase. Accessed 10/28/20. http://www.fishbase.us/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=2292. Pietsch, T.W. (2005.) "Melanocetidae. Melanocetus. Black Seadevils." The Tree of Life Web Project. Last modified 11/5/05. http://tolweb.org/Melanocetus/22003. Media Phylogenetic Image Gallery Data Products Annotated Images Citation: Melanocetus johnsonii (Günther, 1864) Deep-Sea Guide (DSG) at http://dsg/mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Melanocetus%20johnsonii. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Consulted on 2024-11-22.
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