A unique feature of the Anglerfish is fishing-rod–like process, illicium bearing its bait luring esca to attack prey or distract a predator. The esca emits bioluminescent light, giving them a unique advantage to survive in its dark habitat. The illicium can be manipulated to propel in different directions so that the esca can trick other sea animals to look like worms or prey animals. The esca gives off a blueish-green light, that created from a symbiotic relationship of bacteria known as Photobacterium. The esca is unique to only the Lophiiformes. This anatomical feature is not present in its larval stage or the male species. As a result, only adult female Anglerfish consist of this feature. Despite the fact that male Anglerfish do not possess an esca, when they are mature enough to mate, they use their powerful nostrils to smell and search for a female mate, and attaches themselves onto her for life. They will become “one”. 

 

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). (2014, November 21). Retrieved October 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqPMP9X-89o.

References

Shimazaki, M., & Nakaya, K. (2004). Functional anatomy of the luring apparatus of the deep-sea ceratioid anglerfish Cryptopsaras couesii (Lophiiformes: Ceratiidae). Ichthyological Research, 51(1), 33–37. doi: 10.1007/s10228-003-0190-6