BATFISH - Ogcocephalidae
General:
Body usually considerably depressed and flattened ventrally. Capable of walking on the bottom using their large armlike pectoral and smaller pelvic fins. Swims awkwardly. Bottom dwellers feed on small invertebrates and fishesGill opening located in or above base of pectoral fin. Scales always present, as highly variable, pyramid-shaped tubercles. Tubercles tiny, with long terminal spines, making fish look as if covered with coarse hair; to large and strongly calcified with bases close together, making fish appear to be encased in a thick carapace.
Some batfishes can be difficult to differentiate, despite what some "books" say and have high intraspecific variability. Most in Caribbean Sea within scuba diving depths are ascribed to O. nasutus.
Body usually considerably depressed and flattened ventrally. Capable of walking on the bottom using their large armlike pectoral and smaller pelvic fins. Swims awkwardly. Bottom dwellers feed on small invertebrates and fishesGill opening located in or above base of pectoral fin. Scales always present, as highly variable, pyramid-shaped tubercles. Tubercles tiny, with long terminal spines, making fish look as if covered with coarse hair; to large and strongly calcified with bases close together, making fish appear to be encased in a thick carapace.
Some batfishes can be difficult to differentiate, despite what some "books" say and have high intraspecific variability. Most in Caribbean Sea within scuba diving depths are ascribed to O. nasutus.
Etymology
Greek, ogkoo, to swell, to enlarge + Greek, kephale = head
Greek, ogkoo, to swell, to enlarge + Greek, kephale = head
Shortnose Batfish
Ogcocephalus nasutus
Ogcocephalus nasutus
