Shortnose Batfish

Ogcocephalus nasutus

Also known as: Deep-sea Batfish, Handfish, Longnose Batfish, Red-bellied Batfish, Sea Bat, Short-nosed Batfish, Slantbrow Batfish, Walking Batfish

ALSO KNOWN AS

Deep-sea Batfish
Handfish
Longnose Batfish
Red-bellied Batfish
Sea Bat
Short-nosed Batfish
Slantbrow Batfish
Walking Batfish

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2015

Add a photo

Shortnose Batfish adult, photographed at St. Petersburg FL, United States — @dandyluk · St. Petersburg FL, United States · September 20131 / 7

Overview

Found singly, resting on, or partially covered in sand, over mud, rubble, sand and flat seagrass bottoms close to reef edges.

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.

How to identify

COLOURS

Pattern: mottled
Body shape: legs
Behaviour: bottom dwelling lures prey solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

Habitat & where to find it

Range · Western Atlantic, Caribbean
Country only · 7

LIVES IN

Found singly, resting on, or partially covered in sand, over mud, rubble, sand and flat seagrass bottoms close to reef edges.

RANGE

Adult photos 7

Discussion 9

9 comments

Stephanie P· 26 Apr 2018
March 2018 we came across one in Turks and Caicos off Sapodilla Beach. Little guy left everyone baffled. Thank you for the proper identification.
Helpful· 1
Tammy Wright· 6 Sept 2017
I 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.
Helpful· 1
Roland Bouchard· 27 Feb 2017
Saw one swimming in harbor on North Captiva Island in about 3 feet of water 2/26/2017.
Helpful· 1
Monica· 26 Jun 2016
I 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.
Helpful· 1
John H.· 2 May 2016
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!
Helpful· 1
Lane· 18 Apr 2016
Found 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.
Helpful· 1
Jan Lynen· 30 Mar 2016
Hello, we saw one today while diving in the shallow water of Bonaire. We found him around 3 meters.
Helpful· 1
Leslie· 30 Sept 2015
Saw 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 😊
Helpful· 1
Rick J· 31 May 2015
Caught 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.
Helpful· 1