(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - monkfish
OTHER COMMON NAMES - monkfish, goosefish, American angler, American goosefish, all-mouth, fishing frog, baudroie, diable de mer, poisson-pecheur and Fr. baudroie d'Amerique
ELEMENT CODE -
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - ,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - ,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Lophiiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Lophiidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Lophius,
SPECIES AND SSP - americanus,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Lophius americanus
AUTHORITY - Valenciennes, 1837
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 258
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
Lophius americanus, considered at one time synonymous with Lophius
picatorius of the eastern Atlantic, was shown to be a distinct species by
Berrill (1929).*258*
Family Lophiidae or goosefishes, is a small family of marine fishes
occurring, generally worldwide, in Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian
oceans, some inhabiting warm regions; mainly deepwater fishes, benthic and
epipelagic; on muddy bottoms of the continental slope, usually beyond 200 m.
Body much depressed and broad anteriorly, with a slender caudal peduncle.
Head large and depressed with numerous conical tubercles and ridges on
dorsal and lateral surfaces; snout with prominent spines; mouth wide, with
numerous sharp, depressible teeth in both jaws; eye relatively small. Gill
opening usually at or behind, rarely extending in front of, pectoral fin
base; no gill rakers.*258*
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
See Comments
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 258
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
There is no directed fishery for monkfish in Canadian Atlantic waters. When
captured it is usually taken on longline or by trawl. Catches from NAFO
subareas 3 and 4 totalled 266 t in 1982; total catch from all NAFO subareas
for that year was 3204 t. Most of the Canadian catch is used in the
manufacture of fish meal. When marketed fresh or frozen, the flesh of the
caudal section or tail is said to have a good flavor, and is considered a
delicacy by some.
The species is used extensively in physiological and biochemical
studies.*258*
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - MARINE
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 258
LAND USE -
Water
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 258
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
The monkfish is a bottom-dwelling sluggish fish, living over a wide variety
of substrates from tideline down to 668 m. Monkfish were found to be
associated with fine gravel and clay sediment-type bottom on the Scotian
Shelf. It tolerates a wide range of temperature, 0-21 deg C. Although
widely distributed over the Scotian Shelf at all depths and along the
Laurentian Channel, it appeared to avoid cold surface waters of the
Browns-LaHave area and north of Banquereau. Preferred depth ranges were
given as 73-90 and 128-144 m, preferred temperatures 6-10 deg, and
salinities 33-24 ppt. Studies of seasonal distribution indicated that
monkfish invade shallow waters of the banks in summer and migrate to deeper
waters in winter.*258*
COMMENTS ON SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
Predation and competition: There is little information on predation.
Monkfish have been eaten by swordfish. The young are probably eaten by
predaceous fishes, and in the laboratory the larvae have been observed to
have been eaten by crustaceans.*258*
Parasites and disease: Species of parasites includes one species of
protozoan, six species of trematodes, and the larvae of the nematode
Phocanema sp. Immature monkfish were infected by the protozoan
Haemogregarina sp. in the Gulf of Maine.*258*
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
CARNIVORE
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 258
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Fish Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Molluscs Not Specified
General Squid, Octopus Not Specified
General Worms Not Specified
General Osteichthyes Not Specified
General Clupeiformes Not Specified
General Perciformes Not Specified
General Pleuronectiformes Not Specified
General Chondrichthyes Not Specified
General See Comments; Food
Adult See Comments; Food
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 258
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 258
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
A voracious predator, the monkfish consumes a wide variety of foods and has
been reported to take any available prey, occasionally items that have
proved indigestible. Stomach contents examined included such fishes as
herring, sand lance, alewives, menhaden, smelt, cod, haddock, mackerel,
cunner, striped bass, sculpins, sea ravens, flounders, and skates. Many
invertebrates including crabs, squid, other molluscs, starfish, and marine
worms are eaten, and even seabirds have been found in stomachs.*258*
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
A voracious predator, the monkfish consumes a wide variety of foods and has
been reported to take any available prey, occasionally items that have
proved indigestible. Stomach contents examined included such fishes as
herring, sand lance, alewives, menhaden, smelt, cod, haddock, mackerel,
cunner, striped bass, sculpins, sea ravens, flounders, and skates. Many
invertebrates including crabs, squid, other molluscs, starfish, and marine
worms are eaten, and even seabirds have been found in stomachs. The adult
monkfish feeds mainly on bottom organisms and has been observed to partially
bury itself in the bottom substrate awaiting prey. The fishing 'lure' on
the head is used as an aid in the attraction and ultimate capture of food
items.*258*
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Specified in Comments
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
G Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
G
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 258
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
The monkfish is a bottom-dwelling sluggish fish, living over a wide variety
of substrates from tideline down to 668 m. Monkfish were found to be
associated with fine gravel and clay sediment-type bottom on the Scotian
Shelf. It tolerates a wide range of temperature, 0-21 deg C. Although
widely distributed over the Scotian Shelf at all depths and along the
Laurentian Channel, it appeared to avoid cold surface waters of the
Browns-LaHave area and north of Banquereau. Preferred depth ranges were
given as 73-90 and 128-144 m, preferred temperatures 6-10 deg, and
salinities 33-24 ppt. Studies of seasonal distribution indicated that
monkfish invade shallow waters of the banks in summer and migrate to deeper
waters in winter.*258*
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
Description: Body strongly depressed, greatest width occurring at level of
pectoral fin, body tapering to small, cylindrical caudal peduncle. Head
very large, much depressed, wider than body, rounded, numerous conical
tubercles on top and sides of head, frontal ridges rough; humeral spines
long, straight, well developed; mouth very large, terminal, lower jaw
projecting considerably beyond upper; a row of large, irregular, canine-like
teeth in jaws, mostly depressible, strong teeth on vomer and palatines; eye
small, on top of head. Branchiostegals 6. Fins; dorsals, 2, first dorsal
of 3 isolated spines on head, the foremost modified into angling apparatus,
bearing at its end a fleshy tab, second spines depressible, third spine
shorter, a group of short, slender spines behind head, connected by black
membrane; second dorsal of 9-12 rays; caudal moderate, thick truncate,
broom-shaped; anal 8-10 rays; pelvics thickened, jugular, below head, 1
spine, 5 soft rays, well in front of pectorals; pectorals 19-28 ryas, heavy
bases somewhat arm-like. Scales absent, skin smooth, slippery, a series of
branched, fleshy fringes or tabs along edge of lower jaw, extending back on
sides of head almost to base of pectorals; 2 rows of similar, but smaller
tabs from above and behind pectoral fins to end of caudal peduncle; a few
tabs on pectoral fins. Vertebrae 26-31. Size to 120 cm long and weight of
22.7-27.2 kg, but average weight 2.3-4.5 kg. Color uniformly dark brown
above, light tan below; pectoral fins becoming darker at tips; pelvic fins
reddish.*258*
Predation and competition: There is little information on predation.
Monkfish have been eaten by swordfish. The young are probably eaten by
predaceous fishes, and in the laboratory the larvae have been observed to
have been eaten by crustaceans.*258*
Parasites and disease: Species of parasites includes one species of
protozoan, six species of trematodes, and the larvae of the nematode
Phocanema sp. Immature monkfish were infected by the protozoan
Haemogregarina sp. in the Gulf of Maine.*258*
Reproduction: Spawning occurs from June to September in Canadian waters,
some presumably in shoal waters off Nova Scotia. Eggs are pelagic,
spherical, and 1.61-1.84 mm in diameter. A single oil globule, measuring
0.40-0.61 mm in diameter, is present. Eggs are deposited as a mucous sheet
or veil that floats at the surface and may be 9.1-12.2 m long, 30 cm or more
in width, and in a single layer. The sheet, pinkish in color, may contain
up to 1.32 million eggs, the product of one female. Egg development was
noted at temperatures as low as 5 deg C but estimated time to hatching would
be about 100 d, whereas at 15 deg hatching occurred in about 6 or 7 d.
Upper limit for development was 17-18 deg C and probably higher.
Growth: Larvae are 2.5-4.5 mm long on hatching and float on the surface.
Soon after hatching curiously elongated dorsal head spines and pelvic fins
develop and pigmentation occurs. Postlarvae apparently descend to the
bottom, where they seek protection among algae-covered rocks. Monkfish may
reach a length of 5.9 cm before their first winter and 11.4 cm when a little
more than a year old. Otolith studies indicated that 76.2 cm monkfish were
9 yr. old and 101.6 cm ones 12 yr old.
Life History - 1 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY CODES -
Breeding/Spawning Season: June
Breeding/Spawning Season: July
Breeding/Spawning Season: August
Breeding/Spawning Season: September
Spawning Site: Standing Water
Average Number of Offspring/Reproductive Effort: Grea
Dispersion: Other (specify in comments)
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 258
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species monkfish
Species Id M010508
Date 26 AUG 96
References
References - 1