Fanfin

A deep-sea anglerfish distinguished by long, filamentous rays extending from its fins. The name commonly denotes fanfin seadevils in the genus Caulophryne.

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Caulophryne: A genus of deep-sea anglerfishes known as fanfin seadevils, with elongated fin rays and a bioluminescent lure. Fanfin commonly names members of this genus.
Esca (fish anatomy): The bait-like terminal structure of an anglerfish lure, often containing light-producing bacteria. This luminous tip is the part of the fanfin's lure that resembles prey.
Deep-sea exploration: The investigation of the ocean's deep regions using submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, and sampling equipment. Deep-sea exploration brings fanfins into view and documents their habitat.
Caulophryne jordani: A fanfin seadevil species found in deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a well-known species within the fanfin genus.
Anglerfish: A group of fishes whose members use a modified dorsal-fin spine as a lure to attract prey. Fanfin belongs to this broader group of fishes.
Bacterial bioluminescence: Light produced by bacteria through biochemical reactions, including symbiotic microbes in some animal light organs. Symbiotic bacteria produce the glow associated with the fanfin's lure.
Bathypelagic zone: The open-ocean layer roughly 1,000 to 4,000 meters below the surface, where sunlight is absent. Fanfin seadevils inhabit the dark waters of the deep ocean.
Caulophryne polynema: A species of fanfin seadevil in the genus Caulophryne. Its name is associated with the genus's conspicuously filamentous fins.
Illicium (fish anatomy): A modified dorsal-fin spine in anglerfishes that forms the stalk of a prey-attracting lure. Like other anglerfishes, fanfins carry an illicium and a lure.
Deep-sea gigantism: The tendency for some deep-sea species to grow larger than related shallow-water species. Fanfin reproductive biology illustrates a deep-sea adaptation unlike gigantism.