Which deep-sea fish uses a bioluminescent lure to attract prey?

The deep-sea fish that uses a bioluminescent lure to attract prey is the anglerfish. Its famous “fishing rod” is actually a modified dorsal-fin spine called the illicium, tipped with a fleshy lure called the esca.

In many deep-sea anglerfish, the esca glows because of bioluminescent bacteria. In the darkness of the bathypelagic zone, the lure resembles a small animal and draws curious prey within striking distance. The anglerfish then opens its large mouth and uses suction feeding, sharp teeth, or both to swallow the victim.

A common mix-up is assuming every anglerfish glows. Anglerfish is a broad group, and some species use a movable but non-luminous lure. The best-known glowing examples are deep-sea forms such as the black seadevil. Another surprising fact is that in several deep-sea species, tiny males attach themselves permanently to much larger females, an adaptation to finding mates in an immense, sparsely populated habitat.