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January 13, 2021: Anglerfish

This anglerfish, in the genus Chaunacops, was seen during the Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada expedition, while exploring an intriguing step-like feature within Verrill Canyon off the coast of Halifax, Canada. These fish have a small lure on a short stalk between their eyes that they wiggle in order to attract prey.

Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Deep Connections 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 259 KB).

This anglerfish, in the genus Chaunacops, was seen during the Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada expedition, while exploring an intriguing step-like feature within Verrill Canyon off the coast of Halifax, Canada. These fish have a small lure on a short stalk between their eyes that they wiggle in order to attract prey.

While we often see these fish on the seafloor resting or "walking" on modified fins, sometimes they do take to the water column and swim, as seen in this image. Watch a video of this fish in action!