Overview
The Mid-Atlantic Coffinfish (Chaunax suttkusi) is an enigmatic, deep-sea benthic anglerfish belonging to the family Chaunacidae. Inhabiting bathypelagic depths along the continental slopes and underwater seamounts of the Atlantic Ocean, this spherical, rose-pink fish spends its existence resting upon the sea floor. Equipped with modified, leg-like pectoral and pelvic fins, it effectively ‘walks’ across the abyssal sediment while deploying a modified cephalic lure to ambush drifting deep-sea prey.
Biology and Physical Characteristics
Chaunax suttkusi possesses a globose, inflatable body covered in fine, prickle-like dermal spinules that resemble sandpaper. Its coloration ranges from soft coral-pink to fiery red with subtle yellowish reticulations. On its snout sits a specialized illicium (fishing rod) tipped with a fluffy, lure-like esca that can be tucked away into a concave depression between the eyes. Most remarkably, coffinfishes can inflate their bodies with seawater, holding massive gill chamber volumes to dramatically slow their metabolic respiration and reduce water disturbance that might alert predators.
Behavior and Ecology
A master of energy conservation, the Mid-Atlantic coffinfish avoids active swimming, using its limb-like pectoral fins to creep silently across soft silt. When hunting, it settles into muddy depressions, exposes its esca, and wiggles it to mimic small invertebrate prey. When an unsuspecting crustacean or lanternfish approaches, the coffinfish opens its cavernous, upturned jaws in milliseconds, generating strong suction that engulfs the target whole.
Conservation and Human Impact
Evaluated as Least Concern, Chaunax suttkusi is protected from most human activities by its extreme depth range. While occasional specimens are taken as non-target bycatch by deep-water commercial bottom-trawling operations, deep-sea conservation measures and bans on bottom trawling across seamount reserves help safeguard its fragile benthic habitats.
Interesting Factoid
The coffinfish can ‘hold its breath’ underwater for up to four minutes: it pumps its gill cavities full of seawater until it swells like a water balloon, completely halting gill ventilation to save energy and stay hidden from abyssal predators.
Last updated: October 2026