Lophius litulon—the yellow goosefish (Japanese anglerfish)—is a large demersal predator in theNW Pacific (family Lophiidae). The first dorsal spine forms an illicium with an esca used to lure prey, which are engulfed by a rapid suction strike.
Ecology & Biology
Diet: small–medium demersal fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans.
Behaviour: classic sit‑and‑wait ambush on soft bottoms; capable of short lunges.
Reproduction: females release a huge gelatinous egg veil; larvae are planktonic.
Identification
Broad, depressed head and an extremely large gape with recurved teeth.
Robust pectoral fins used for propping/walking; fleshy lobes aid camouflage.
Diagnostic illicium + esca morphology.
Size & Longevity
Length: typically 50–80 cm, maximum ~100–120 cm.
Weight: large adults reach several kilograms.
Life: about 10–15 years.
Range & Habitat
Japan, Korean Peninsula, Chinese seas (Bohai–Yellow–East China) and Taiwan; sandy‑mud continental shelves/slopes at ~20–300 m or deeper.
Fisheries & Conservation
Fisheries: commercially important (trawls/longlines/gillnets); flesh and liver (ankimo) valued.
Management: regional stock measures recommended—limit trawling, reduce juvenile bycatch, protect spawning grounds.
IUCN: Least Concern (LC) (check latest assessment).
