The Atlantic Football Fish in Fuerteventura - Himantolophidae
A closer look at the Atlantic Football Fish that lives i the waters around Fuerteventura - Himantolophidae
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The Atlantic Football Fish - Himantolophidae, that lives in the water surrounding Fuerteventura
An Article by Hannah Mackay with The Voice
The Atlantic Football fish belongs to the Himantolophidae family of the globose, deep-sea angler fishes, of which there are 22 species.Ā They were first discovered in the early 1900ās by a deep-sea fisherman in search of flounders.
What do Angler fish in the Canary Islands look like and where to find them?
These fish live in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean so unless you have a mini sub, you are unlikely to ever see one. Both male and female of the species are a reddish, brown to black colour and have no spine. But thatās where the similarities stop.Ā The male of the species does not generally exceed 4 cmās in size and is more gelatinous that the female of the species.Ā The females can exceed up 60 cmās in size and are more globose in shape.Ā The flesh of the females thickens, in the larger of the sex, and has a covering of bony plates called bucklers.Ā The femaleās mouth is more oblique, with a shortened blunt snout and a chin. Ā
Do Angler fish in Fuerteventura have a fishing rod?
Situated above the small eye is the āIlliciumāor fishing rod.Ā At the end of this rod is the bioluminescent bulbous esca.Ā Due to the structure of the femaleās body it is believed they are not great swimmers and are largely sedentary.Ā They lay in wait for prey, that is attracted by the luminous lure of the esca.Ā Once close enough, they can strike out at the prey.Ā The female of the species is carnivorous, feeding on other pelagic fish such as lantern fish, as well as cephalopods and shrimps.
At what depth would you find an Angler fish in the Canary Islands?
The species mainly lives in open water and very few are caught below 1,000 metres.Ā Their main predators are Sperm whales and other football fish.Ā They are not the most attractive fish but they are uniquely interesting for their strange football-like appearance and predatory characteristics.
