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Monkfish or Angel Shark?
Many people have visited the page on monkfish migrations and have been confused by the species being discussed in the article. In Ireland the name monkfish has has generally referred to the species of shark Squatina squatina. The monkfish got its name as it is said to resemble the cowl or pointed hood of a monk's vestments.
A tralee bay monkfish, Squatina squatina.
However the fish mongers and restaurant trade have tended to use the name monkfish to refer to the anglerfish, two species of which are caught in Irish waters; Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa. The anglerfish is a muddy brown fish which can grow quite large. It is prized for its meaty tail and is frequently served in the best restaurants. The anglerfish is so named as sits on the sea bed with its mouth open using a modified dorsal fin ray as a fishing rod which waves and dangles a "lure" just over its gaping maw. In this way it captures its food.
An anglerfish Lophius piscatorius. Photo courtesy of the Marine Institute.
So what fish does the article refer to? Squatina squatina, the monkfish or angel shark.
Go back to Monkfish Migrations or find out about more fish tagging studies:
- Results from the tagging of Blue Shark in Irish Waters
- The wanderings of Irish tope
- Coarse Fish Tagging Programme 2002
- Tagged Roach x Bream Hybrid Recaptured After Two years at Liberty
