Anglerfish

Code Name :   MNZ

Scientific Name :   Lophius spp (Lophius piscatorius, Lophius budegassa)

Anglerfish classification : Chordata (phylum), Actinopterygii (class), Lophiidae (family).

Lophius spp occurs in eastern Atlantic, in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It is reported from Iceland to Mauritania. The north Atlantic specimens attain larger sizes than the ones collected off west Africa and Mediterranean.

Lophius budegassa is found in eastern Ionian Sea while in the inshore waters of the United Kingdom. It is characterized as the Mediterranean Lophius.

Lophius piscatorius is found in northeast Atlantic, from the Barents Sea to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. It is characterised as the north European Lophius.

The species is bathydemersal and it lives within the depth range from 20 to 1000 m. It occurs on sandy and muddy bottoms. The species may also be found on rocky bottoms. It lies half-buried in the sediment waiting for its prey. It attracts prey by means of its fishing filament. Feeds mainly on fishes, occasionally sea-birds.

Anglerfish in maturity ranges in length between 35 and 60 cm. The maximum length that was found is 200 cm, and maximum weight recorded 57,7 kg. Common length can be considered 100 cm.

The maximum reported age reaches 24 years.

The demand of anglerfish for human consumption has increased in the last couple of decades because of the delicate consistency of its meat. Accordingly, the fishing pressure has increased considerably. Marketed fresh and frozen. It is a well-studied species in Europe and is sold without the skin and the head.

The species is caught in out nets throughout the year, in quantities and sizes that vary depending on the fishing area, the fishing depth and the time of the year. The product is available as whole fish and treated (beheaded and skinned : tails), in two conditions: fresh and as a Blue Basket brand (fresh-frozen).