Batfish

Species > Batfish

Longnose Batfish (Ogcocephalus corniger)

This prehistoric creature looks dangerous, but it's not. This triangular shaped, flat bodied fish ranges from 9 inches to 53 inches in length. The longnose batfish inhabits waters from 95 to 750 feet deep.

An unusual trait of the longnose batfish is its use of its pectoral and pelvic fins to walk along the bottom of the sea floor. This fish is very docile and moves slowly along the bottom until it decides it's feeding time, then it will stop and lay silent on the bottom. The long nose of this batfish has small antennae like protrusions that it moves around in search of food. When food is sensed, it will suck its meal in through its mouth.

View this video showing a longnose batfish on Jacksonville Beach - the fish is spooked & moving fast in the video.

Spotted Batfish

This spotted batfish was caught in the northern Gulf of Mexico by the NOAA Teachers by the Sea team. The brown bumpy skin camouflages this species as he walks along the seafloor in search of prey.

Polka Dot Batfish

More Batfish

Caught off the Venice Fishing Pier where locals call this batfish "stone fish".