WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Atlantic Batfish

Dibranchus atlanticus

Also known as: Deepsea Batfish, Handfish, Sea Bat, Walking Batfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015
Adult
@jwhat111 · Alabama, United States · August 20121 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly, resting on the bottom or partially covered in mud or sand, close to reef edges, in both shallow and very deep waters.

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.

02

How to identify

Pattern
speckled
Body shape
legs

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly, resting on the bottom or partially covered in mud or sand, close to reef edges, in both shallow and very deep waters.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

Comments are checked by a moderator before they appear.

No comments yet. Seen one, or got a question about it? Start the discussion.

    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderLophiiformes
    5. familyOgcocephalidae
    6. genusDibranchus
    7. speciesDibranchus atlanticus Peters, 1876

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Batfishes (Ogcocephalidae)