ANGLERFISH

The fascinating life cycle of a fearsome fish is examined.

After starting life as a tiny egg, a baby anglerfish hatches near the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. The expressive young creature dodges predators and fishing nets and develops over the years. The seadevil, a type of deep-sea anglerfish, is known for the distinctive glowing “fishing pole” that grows between its eyes as the fish matures and makes its home in deep waters. The survival of this truly bizarre-looking fish is illustrated in shadowy montages that are at once eerie and charming. Eventually, the solitary adult anglerfish meets a mate and releases countless eggs to begin a new generation. The narrative explores the anglerfish’s intriguing existence in detail without becoming overly dense. Interesting tidbits (for example, the anglerfish can swallow prey twice its size) abound. A few scientific terms, like bioluminescent and midnight zone, are seamlessly integrated into the text, allowing readers to decode their meaning with ease. The backmatter provides more in-depth information about the species, its adaptations, and its mating habits. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A fun and creepy fish tale brimming with scientific appeal.