Black Anglerfish

Black Anglerfish: The Deep-Sea Black Seadevil

The term "Black Anglerfish" most commonly refers to the deep-sea species Melanocetus johnsonii, also known as the Humpback Anglerfish or Black Seadevil. This species is infamous for its appearance, featuring a massive head, bulbous body, and a cavernous mouth lined with razor-sharp, backward-pointing teeth—a truly iconic creature of the deep ocean.

Melanocetus johnsonii is found worldwide in the twilight (mesopelagic) and midnight (bathypelagic) zones, typically at depths between 660 and 4,920 feet (200-1,500 meters), where sunlight cannot penetrate. The female, which is the large, predatory form, can grow up to 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) long, while the male is tiny, sometimes less than an inch long, and non-parasitic.

This species is a master of ambush predation, using a modified dorsal spine called the illicium, which has a bioluminescent lure (the esca) at its tip. It uses this glowing lure to attract unsuspecting prey in the pitch-black abyss, which it can swallow whole—sometimes even prey larger than itself.

Aquarium & Care (For Shallow Water Species):

The Black Seadevil (Melanocetus johnsonii) is a deep-sea fish and is NOT suitable for home aquariums due to the extreme conditions (low temperature, high pressure, no light) of its natural habitat. The information below pertains to the Black Angler (Antennariidae family), a related, but shallow-water species sometimes available in the trade that is also often solid black or brown/black.

• Diet: The shallow-water Anglerfish is a dedicated Carnivore and ambush predator. In captivity, it must be trained to eat non-living, meaty foods such as frozen silversides, chunks of fish flesh, and marine shrimp, but often requires live saltwater feeder shrimp to initiate feeding.
• Feeding: Due to their sedentary "sit-and-wait" hunting style, overfeeding is common. Feed only 1-2 times per week once converted to prepared foods. Never feed freshwater feeder fish, as this leads to nutritional deficiencies.
• Reef Compatibility: With Extreme Caution / Predatory. The shallow-water Anglerfish will completely ignore corals and is technically considered reef-safe in that regard. However, it will attempt to eat any fish or crustacean that fits into its massive, surprisingly-extensible mouth, including fish nearly its own size. It will also consume ornamental shrimp and crabs.
• Temperament: Sedentary / Predatory. It spends most of its time perched on live rock or the substrate, camouflaging itself and waiting for prey. Tankmates must be large, robust, and fast enough to avoid being eaten. It is peaceful toward non-prey items.
• Minimum Tank Size (Shallow-water only): 50+ Gallons for the smaller varieties; larger is always recommended for stability.

Quick Facts (Melanocetus johnsonii - Deep-Sea Species)

• Scientific Name: Melanocetus johnsonii
• Primary Common Name: Humpback Anglerfish
• Other Common Names: Black Seadevil, Black Anglerfish
• Origin: Worldwide (Tropical to Temperate deep oceans)
• Max Size (Female): 7-8 inches (18-20 cm)
• Temperament: Predatory (Harmless to humans)
• Diet: Carnivore (Feeds on fish and crustaceans)
• Minimum Tank Size: Not suitable for home aquariums (Requires extreme deep-sea conditions)
• Reef Compatibility: Not applicable (Deep-sea creature)