An anglerfish known as a "Bulbous Dreamer" (Oneirodes eschrichtii) from the Gulf of Mexico.

The "Bulbous Dreamer" (Oneirodes eschrichtii) has been one of the most unusual anglerfishes that we have encountered in the Gulf of Mexico during the DEEPEND project (see www.deependconsortium.org). This species has two fleshy tube like structures that run out of the corner of each side of the mouth. They may glow in the dark, just like the esca at the end of the "fishing pole" (the illicium). More on the "rod and lure" which develop on the head of the female (the illicium and esca respectively). These are specialized structures formed of a modified first dorsal ray. Inside the esca, the fish accommodates bioluminescent bacteria and that is how light is produced - by bacteria, not by the fish directly. In this case, the esca is an involved structure with filaments extending out from the main bulb. Note the horns on the head of the fish...most members of this genus have them. Very few individuals of this species have been encountered, especially specimens that come up intact. The diversity of life in the ocean's water column is outstanding. We need to do more to protect it from things like oil spills, commercial deep water fishing, and dumping of waste into our oceans.