WHAT IS SEXUAL PARASITISM?
A female fanfin seadevil anglerfish is shown
Many species of deep-sea anglerfish are known to engage in a type of reproduction known as sexual parasitism.
While they aren’t the only creatures to mate in this way, the behaviour has largely come to be associated with these fish, among which more than 20 species are known to do it, according to Brittanica.
Female anglerfish are much larger than the males.
When it’s time to mate, a male will bite onto the massive female and in some cases even fuse to her body, joining their tissues and circulatory systems.
The male becomes dependent on the female for nutrients – and, he turns into her permanent sperm supply.
Read articles that feature this panel
Gruesome first-ever footage of anglerfish mating reveals how the male FUSES to the female to become her permanent sperm supply
In the stunning video captured at a depth of 800 meters off Portugal’s São Jorge Island, the fist-sized female completely dwarfs the male...
Scientists discover fish that can use their fins as FEET 3,000-feet below the surface of the ocean in the Gulf of Mexico
A group of scientists on a year-long research trip have captured footage of a rare deep sea fish that can use its fins as if they were feet,...
They're inseparable! Deep-sea anglerfish take sexual intimacy to the next level by 'fusing' bodies with their partners when they mate thanks...
The male becomes entirely dependent on the female for nutrient supply, like a developing fetus in the womb of a mother - a process called...
Monster from the deep! Anglerfish that lures prey with a luminescent stalk, has teeth like pointed shards of glass and a mouth that can...
A Pacific Football fish. a species of anglerfish, was found dead on a beach in California. The black creature laid in the sand with its...
Scientists find transparent, rarely-seen fish and giant sea spider on deep sea expedition near Alaska
Scientists spotted a rarely-seen see-through fish and a giant sea spider in waters off of Alaska recently. The transparent fish is known as...
Most watched News videos
- New video shows Epstein laughing and chasing young women
- British Airways passengers turn flight into a church service
- Epstein describes himself as a 'tier one' sexual predator
- Skier dressed as Chewbacca brutally beaten in mass brawl
- Two schoolboys plummet out the window of a moving bus
- Buddhist monks in Thailand caught with a stash of porn
- Melinda Gates says Bill Gates must answer questions about Epstein
- Police dog catches bag thief who pushed woman to the floor
- Holly Valance is shut down by GB News for using slur
- JD Vance turns up heat on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
- Sarah Ferguson 'took Princesses' to see Epstein after prison
- China unveils 'Star Wars' warship that can deploy unmanned jets
