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Tasseled AnglerfishThe tasseled anglerfish is one of over 200 anglerfish species that put food on the table by combining camouflage and the physiological fishing tackle that gives them their name. The fish uses a protruding piece of rodlike dorsal spine, tipped with a bacteria-fuelled, glowing “lure,” to tempt prey close enough to be gulped by its outsize mouth.
Photograph by Jason Edwards

Masters of Undersea Camouflage

Sometimes survival in the deep depends on simply not being seen. Meet the ocean’s masters of camouflage.

November 12, 2009