Teleostei (teleosts) >
Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes) >
Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Etymology: Ogcocephalus: Greek, ogkos, ou = hook, curvature (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Charles Robert Darwin (1809–1882) was the prime advocate, together with Wallace (q. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Hubbs.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 120 m (Ref. 127879), usually 3 - 76 m (Ref. 5227). Tropical
Southeast Pacific: Galapagos Islands south to Peru.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 20.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5590); 21.5 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Vertebrae: 19 - 20. Squamation shagreenlike and relatively smooth; bucklers obscured by a covering of fine spinules. Has a shorter disk margin compared to porrectus but higher modal pectoral fin ray count, 15. Lateral line scale count: subopercular 4-9; cheek usually 8 (6-9). Vertebrae usually 19 (Ref. 40824).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Found on sandy bottoms and believed to be predatory, feeding on small invertebrates. Common below 10 m and seem to be incautious, unlike other batfishes which are limited in their range due to many predators.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Bradbury, M.G., 1980. A revision of the fish genus Ogcocephalus with descriptions of new species from the western Atlantic Ocean (Ogcocephalidae: Lophiiformes). Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci. 42(7):229-285. (Ref. 40824)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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