Monkfish

Scientific name: Lophius americanus (North America), Lophius piscatorius (northern Europe)

Monkfish, also called goosefish, anglerfish, or allmouth, is a bottom-dwelling fish found in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Lophius americanus dwells mainly in North America, whereas Lophius piscatorius can be found in the waters around northern Europe.

The monkfish is a grotesque fish, with a large head and huge, gaping mouth. The rest of its body appears only as an appendage, and it has three filaments coming from the middle of its head. These are actually the detached three first spines on the dorsal fin. With most anglerfish, the central filament is the longest and ends in an irregular growth of flesh, called an esca. The esca is used as a lure to attract and catch other fish, which the monkfish will eat whole. The monkfish grows to a length of 5 feet (1.5 meters), though on average they are caught at 3 feet (0.9 meter).