Angler Flounder

Asterorhombus intermedius

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Pleuronectiformes
Family: Bothidae
Genus: Asterorhombus
Species: Asterorhombus intermedius

The angler flounder (Asterorhombus intermedius) is a small flatfish that wiggles a lure on its first dorsal ray to attract prey. Like a frogfish, it uses this lure to draw small fish within striking range.

It grows to about 15 cm and lies flat on the sand with both eyes on its left side. Its mottled colouring makes it almost invisible until it moves.

In the Philippines it is found on sandy and rubble slopes, a rewarding find for patient muck divers.