Ogcocephalidae

The Ogcocephalidae, commonly known as batfishes, are a family of anglerfish that belong to the order Lophiiformes. They are distinguished by their flattened, often disc-shaped bodies, with many species resembling a bat’s head, hence their common name. Their wide, flattened bodies allow them to rest on the seabed, while their fleshy appendages mimic worms to lure prey.

Characteristics

Batfishes have several distinctive characteristics, including:

  • Flattened, disc-shaped bodies: This shape allows them to lie flat on the seabed, camouflaged among the rocks and coral.
  • Large, flattened heads: These often resemble a bat's head, contributing to their common name.
  • Fleshy appendages: These "lures" are located on the top of their heads and mimic worms, attracting prey.
  • Small, terminal mouths: Their mouths are located at the tip of their snout and are relatively small.
  • Small, pectoral fins: These fins are used for walking along the seabed.

Environment

Batfishes are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They prefer to live on the seabed, typically in shallow waters near coral reefs. They are generally solitary fish and are not known to form schools.

Diet

Batfishes are carnivorous and primarily feed on small crustaceans, fish, and worms. They use their fleshy lures to attract prey and then quickly snap their jaws shut, engulfing their meal.

References

FishBase
NCBI Taxonomy Database
Wikipedia