The earliest fossils of anglerfish are from the Eocene Monte Bolca formation of Italy, and these already show significant diversification into the modern families that make up the order. Given this, and their close relati… See more

Anglerfishes are classified by the 5th edition of Fishes of the World as set out below into 5 suborders and 18 families. The following taxa have been arranged to show their evolutionary relationships.
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All anglerfish are carnivorous and are thus adapted for the capture of prey. Ranging in color from dark gray to dark brown, deep-sea species have large heads that bear enormous, crescent-shaped mouths full of long, fang-li… See more