Description
Also known as Deep-sea Batfish, Handfish, Longnose Batfish, Red-bellied Batfish, Sea Bat, Short-nosed Batfish, Slantbrow Batfish, Walking Batfish.
Found singly, resting on, or partially covered in sand, over mud, rubble, sand and flat seagrass bottoms close to reef edges.
They feed on algae, fish, invertebrates and worms.
Length - 38cm
Depth - 0-300m
Widespread Western Atlantic, Caribbean
These batfishes with their depressed circular/triangular bodies are poor swimmers and have adapted for a life style of crawling about on the sea floor using their pelvic fins and arm like Pectoral fins. They have a small lure on their snout to attract their prey, the lure becomes shorter with age. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/3092
9 comments
Posted by Stephanie PMarch 2018 we came across one in Turks and Caicos off Sapodilla Beach. Little guy left everyone baffled. Thank you for the proper identification.
Posted by Tammy WrightI came across one of these in the shallow waters of Ambergris Caye in March/April of 2014. Have been to Ambergris Caye 8 years in a row and only saw this fish once. None of the locals that I showed it to knew what it was and I unfortunately lost the camera I took the pictures with.
Posted by Roland BouchardSaw one swimming in harbor on North Captiva Island in about 3 feet of water 2/26/2017.
Posted by MonicaI actually own one of these. I don't think he is ugly at all he is quite fascinating actually. Very slow mover, swims to the top when he sees me coming so I can pet him.
Posted by John H.We saw one today while snorkeling off Smith Reef in Turks and Caicos. It was in maybe 6' of water and off in the sand and turtle grass. Quite the ugly fish!
Posted by LaneFound a dead one along the shoreline on the bay side of Cape San Blas, Florida. Very interesting scales. I thought it was some kind of barnacle.
Posted by Jan LynenHello, we saw one today while diving in the shallow water of Bonaire. We found him around 3 meters.
Posted by LeslieSaw one yesterday during snorkling at a natural pool in moreré, Bahia in Brazil! Really funny and weird and was not scared from us at all �???
Posted by Rick JCaught one of these while snorkeling off Siesta Key FL today. Very odd fish. I had never seen anything like it before. He sure was not afraid of us and never made a quick move to get away.