Kingdom Animalia Order Lophiiformes Genus Melanocetus Higher classification Melanocetus | Phylum Chordata Family Melanocetidae Scientific name Melanocetus johnsonii Rank Species | |
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Similar Black seadevil, Anglerfish, Deep‑sea anglerfishes, Viperfish, Fangtooth | ||
Melanocetus johnsonii is a species of fish in the family Melanocetidae, the black seadevils. It is known commonly as the humpback anglerfish, humpback blackdevil, and Johnson's anglerfish. It is a deepwater fish living at depths of up to 4500 meters, but generally remaining above 1500 meters. It is native to all the oceans of the world, where it can be found in tropical and many temperate regions. It is even known from the Ross Sea in Antarctica. It was first discovered by and was named after James Yate Johnson.
Biology
As in many anglerfishes, the female is much larger than the male. Females can reach 18 centimeters long, while males are less than 3 centimeters. This fish has a head that is deeper than long, split vertically by the mouth. The eyes are tiny. Like other anglerfishes, it has an illicium, the "fishing lure". Live specimens are black in color.
Unlike the males of other anglerfish species, the tiny male of this species does not attach to the female permanently as a parasite; its attachment is temporary and after releasing sperm, the male detaches to seek another mate.
This fish can consume relatively large prey items and fill its stomach to massive capacity. One specimen contained three fish each over 10 centimeters long.
