The Habits of the Angler-fish, Lophius piscatorius L., in the Plymouth Aquarium

Abstract

1. Young angler-fishes have been kept alive and in health for periods varying from a few weeks to eleven months. They were sometimes hand-fed on dead fishes and sometimes allowed to catch living prey. They grew at an average rate of about eight and a half inches per annum. All had strongly marked individual characters.2. With pelvic and pectoral fins a slight hollow is made in the sand into which the angler settles itself. Its upper surface is now flush with the ground, and the colour and colour mottlings are closely matched to the surroundings. The bordering tags of skin break up the outline.3. Breathing movements occur at relatively long intervals. The expiratory currents are discharged in the axils between the pectoral fins and the trunk, and are deflected vertically upwards.