The front of the head carries erectile spines, the primary of which has a flattened end to resemble a small organism or piece of algae.

[3] The American anglerfish is found in the western Atlantic from Newfoundland and Quebec south to northern Florida, but is commoner in the more northerly parts of its range, north of Cape Hatteras.

It spends most of its time on the seabed partly covered in sediment waiting for suitable prey to pass.

The eggs are large and are believed to be unique among fish in being attached to a floating mucus veil.

The larvae feed on zooplankton and look quite different from the adult fish, being laterally compressed and having long dorsal and pectoral fin rays.

When about 7 centimetres (2.8 in) long they become juveniles, changing their appearance over a period of several weeks into the adult shape and starting to live on the seabed.

Worms are usually found between the skin and outer portion of the flesh ranging in size from a few millimeters to over one inch.