Angler
Otolith description
The general shape of the otoliths is triangular. The sulcus is not well developed and ostium and cauda are not distinguishable. The sulcus is closed and runs slightly diagonally over half the length of the otolith. The surface of the inside is smooth, while the outside is lobate along the edges of the dorsal, anterior and posterior areas. The dorsal, anterior and posterior margin are lobate, while the ventral margin is (almost) straight. The otolith is thick but the ventral part is thicker than the dorsal part. The rostrum is round and not well developed.
In well eroded otoliths the sulcus is hardly visible, the margins are smoother and the otoliths become more oval. The ventral part is still thicker than the dorsal.
Fish length and distribution
Angler can grow up to 200 cm. Angler is a common bottom-living fish (LOPHPISC.TIF) that is found on all sorts of bottoms, but mostly on sandy or gravel grounds. It is found in depths from 2 to 1000 m and spawns from April to June (Wheeler, 1978, Nijssen and De Groot, 1987, Knijn et al., 1993, Muus et al., 1999).
Angler is a common fish found in the Eastern Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic.
Sample origin
Central and Northern North Sea.