ABSTRACT
The Antennariidae, (Lophiiformes), include 12 genera and 41 species globally (Pietsch & Grobecker 1987). They are separated from the order by having 3 well developed dorsal spines (Pietsch 1984a). Like all Lophiiformes they have an illicium and esca used as a luring structure for prey, being a modified first dorsal spine. In this family the illicium is much shorter than the second dorsal spine. There are two genera represented in the western North Atlantic Antennarius, (6 species) and Histrio, (1 species). All species except for H. histrio are benthic and live in shallow and coastal shelf waters from 4 m to 275 m (Pietsch 2003a). Benthic antennariids are dependant upon cryptic coloration and or eyespots to mimic the osculae of sponges or encrusted outcrops (algae, sponges, corraline algae). They live as lie and wait predators feeding on anything they can suck into their gape. Histrio histrio is a neustonic pelagic species living among floating Sargassum clumps (Sargassum nantans, S. fluitans), and feeding on copatriate invertebrates and vertebrates. This species travels within the Sargassum clumps driven in by the wind, waves, and tides. They can often be seen in the Sargassum washing up on beaches. Antennariids reproduction has been compiled to a limited extent (Pietsch 1984, Pietsch & Grobecker 1980, 1987, Watson 19961), however much of the information on their early life history is lacking.
