The mandibular teeth in Lophius present the two kinds of attachment typical of predatory bony fish: ankylosis and fibrous hinge. Light microscopy and microradiography showed that ankylosis, occurring through a gradual transition between basal dentine, attachment bone, and bone proper, is the most achieved type encountered in fish. The ligament of the hinge appeared to consist of collagen fibres exclusively. No elastic components were found. Ankylosis and hinged attachment in Lophius are merely levels in the mineralizing process of collagen fibres. The resilience of the dental apparatus is enhanced by the freely movable bone and cartilage of the jaws and pharyngeals, which allow ingestion of large prey, making up for the disadvantages of nonocclusion and reduced bony architecture.