Story: Deep-sea creatures

Phantom anglerfish

The phantom anglerfish (Haplophryne mollis) lacks pigmentation, and the female (shown here with a male attached to her ventral side) is rounded, with spines above the eyes and behind the mouth. The tiny male attaches itself to the female and is parasitic. Several males may attach to one female.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: CT.007422

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Paddy Ryan, Deep-sea creatures – The bathypelagic zone, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5249/phantom-anglerfish (accessed 14 June 2026).

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Sean
26 June 2012

I would describe the relationship between males and females as symbiotic and not parasitic.