# A REEL Deep Dive (DD-306)

> Female deep-sea anglerfish have a bioluminescent lure, called an esca, on a modified dorsal fin spine that extends over the head. The glow attracts prey in the dark depths. When prey comes close, the anglerfish opens its large, hinged jaw and swallows it whole in an instant. The footage shows an anglerfish on the seafloor.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2024-08-23
- Last updated: 2024-08-23
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/a-reel-deep-dive/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-306-F01**: Female anglerfish carry the lure. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Females))_
- **DD-306-F02**: The lure is a modified dorsal spine. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Spine))_

## Write-up

A female anglerfish carries her own glowing fishing rod. The lure is a modified spine from her dorsal fin.

1. **Females**: Female anglerfish carry the lure.
2. **Spine**: The lure is a modified dorsal spine.
3. **Glow**: It is bioluminescent.
4. **Dark**: It attracts prey in dark water.
5. **Jaws**: They swallow prey whole.

## Related case files

- [Bathypterois grallator (DD-580)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bathypterois-grallator/): I linked another deep-sea fish

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: A REEL Deep Dive: A Female Anglerfish Carries Her Own Glowing Fishing Rod

- Duration: 16.3 s · Published: 2024-08-23
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C_BvpuJpq9x.mp4

### Transcript

Female anglerfish possess a bioluminescent lure that extends from a modified dorsal spine on their heads. This glowing fishing rod attracts prey in the pitch black depths where the anglerfish lives. When the prey is close enough, the anglerfish opens its large, hinged jaw with lightning speed, engulfing its meal whole. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which anglerfish carry the lure?**  
A: Deep-sea species. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Females) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish)_

**Q: What is the lure made from?**  
A: Modified. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Spine) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish)_

**Q: Why does it glow?**  
A: Bioluminescence. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Glow) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish)_

**Q: Where do they live?**  
A: Pitch black. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Dark) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish)_

**Q: How do they eat prey?**  
A: A big hinged jaw. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Jaws) · Wikipedia: Anglerfish)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Anglerfish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglerfish)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "A REEL Deep Dive." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-306, last updated Aug 23, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/a-reel-deep-dive/