Gallery: Absurd Creature of the Week: The Anglerfish and the Absolute Worst Sex on Earth

  • Image may contain Animal
    01

    Anglers-4-G

  • Image may contain Animal and Invertebrate
    London Natural History Museum
    02

    Linophryne-sp

    A *Linophryne brevibarbata* species of anglerfish. That attachment at the rear of her belly is not an appendage. It's a tiny male that has permanently fused to her. Had the pair not been caught, he would have lived the rest of his life like this, supplying sperm and pulling nourishment from her blood. *Photo copyright London Natural History Museum*
  • Image may contain Accessories Accessory Jewelry Ornament Gemstone and Agate
    03

    Anglers-4-J

    A female *Chaenophryne quasiramifera. Photo: Theodore W. Pietsch*
  • Image may contain Animal Water Aquatic and Fish
    Kevin Webb/NHM Image Resources
    04

    Anglerfish-007-300713

    A female *Caulophryne pelagica. Photo copyright London Natural History Museum*
  • Image may contain Plastic Wrap
    05

    Anglers-4-F

    A female *Bufoceratias shaoi. Photo: Hans Ho*
  • Image may contain Ornament Jewelry Accessories Accessory Gemstone Agate Animal Cat Mammal and Pet
    06

    Anglers-2-F

    *Photocorynus spiniceps.* Notice the male attached at top. *Photo: Theodore W. Pietsch*
  • Image may contain Bird and Animal
    07

    Anglers-4-I

    A female *Thaumatichthys binghami. Photo: Christopher P. Kenaley*
  • Image may contain Plastic Bag and Plastic Bag
    08

    Anglers-2-G

    A female *Haplophryne mollis. Photo: David Shale*
  • Image may contain Animal
    09

    Anglers-4-G

    A female *Melanocetus eustales. Photo: Theodore W. Pietsch*
  • Image may contain Animal Invertebrate and Sea Life
    10

    Anglers-3-C

    A female *Himantolophus appelii. Photo: Theodore W. Pietsch*
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Fitness Trackers Check Your Sleep, Heart Rate, or Even Your Blood
With almost ten years of hands-on testing, WIRED knows what separates the best fitness trackers from the rest.
Adrienne So
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures. 
Simon Hill
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
We break down the current iPad lineup to help you figure out which of Apple’s tablets is best for you.
Luke Larsen
The Best Android Phones, Tested and Reviewed
Shopping for a phone can be an ordeal. That’s why we’ve tested almost every Android phone, from the smartest to the cheapest—even phones that fold—to find the ones worth your money.
Julian Chokkattu