First-Ever Video of Deep Sea Anglerfish Mating

Because of the intense underwater environment anglerfishes live in, the mysterious deep-sea dwellers have rarely been seen alive in their natural habitat. However, a new video released by the Rebikoff-Niggeler Foundation, the third-time deep-sea anglerfish behavior has ever been caught on film, shows a female fanfin sea devil slowly drifting along with a small male fused to her underside.

Only female anglerfishes have a bioluminescent lure produced by symbiotic bacteria, the esca, which they use to attract prey. Discovered in the video, the female fanfin sea devil also has whispy bioluminescent filaments that appear function independently, each equipped with its own set of muscles and nerves. The fish use their toothy mouths and expandable stomachs swallow prey larger than themselves in a single gulp. Male anglerfish are only a fraction of their mates' sizes and have sensitive sensory receptors to follow a chemical released by the females. Once a male finds a female, he bites down and latches onto her body. His body will fuse with hers, only serving to provide sperm for when the female is ready to spawn.

Deep-Sea Anglerfish Caught Mating in First-of-Its-Kind Video