What are Monkfish?
One distinguishing characteristic of monkfish is the head, which is broad and flattened with large lips. Monkfish also have several filaments which project from their heads; one of the filaments has a bulb of flesh, which is designed to act as bait to attract smaller fish. When fish approach, the monkfish snaps them up, typically swallowing them whole. These filaments are believed to be residual remainders of the upper fin of these fish, and a number of benthic fish use such tactics to attract dinner. Monkfish are brown, with warty skin. Their tails are extremely thick and muscular, powering them along the ocean floors that they call home. Monkfish vary in size; three to six feet (one to two meters) are common lengths, and some fishermen have recorded even bigger specimens. Like other angler fish, fish which use biological adaptations to essentially fish for prey, the stomach contents of monkfish can sometimes be quite intriguing. Originally, fishermen viewed monkfish as a useless byca
