Red-Lipped Batfish
The red-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini) is an unusual looking fish found on the Galapagos Islands. Red-lipped batfish are closely related to rosy-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus porrectus), which are found near Cocos Island off the coast of Costa Rica. Both fish species look and behave very similarly to one another.
Batfish are not good swimmers; they use their pectoral fins to "walk" on the ocean floor. When the batfish reaches adulthood, its dorsal fin becomes a single spine-like projection that lures prey.
I came across a species of batfish in Belize back in 2007. You have helped me finally (6 years later) identify it as a batfish (I always thought it looked like it was walking on 'chicken wings'!)
ReplyDeleteI expected this to be a poisonous fish similar to stonefish. Thankyou for posting this wonderous fish species. I look forward to checking out the rest of your posts.
A.Williamson, Sydney, Australia