Order

Lophiiformes

  Class

Actinopterygii

No. in FishBase

Genera : 10 | Species : 78 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes

  Environment

Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes

  Division

Marine

  Aquarium

none

  First Fossil Record

     

  Remark

Distribution: worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas except absent from the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 50473). Body usually considerably depressed and flattened ventrally (box-shaped in Coelophrys). Relatively short illicium (composed primarily of the modified pterygiophore of the first fin spine, remnant of second present. The illicial cavity, with its anterior opening, encloses the esca upon retraction of the illicium. Mouth nearly horizontal. Gill opening located in or above base of pectoral fin. Gills 2 or 2.5; first gill arch reduced and without filaments (Ref. 7463). Soft dorsal fin small, usually present, 1-6 rays lying posterior to the head. Anal fin short, with 3 or 4 rays. Pectoral rays 10-19; pelvic I, 5; caudal 9. Teeth minute, conical, in bands on jaws. Vertebrae 16-21. 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. Tubercles elaborately sculptured with bosses or crests; or simple pyramids without strong relief but very enlarged and with thick, strong terminal spines. Exceptions are structures associated with lateral line organs; these usually scale-like or boat-shaped, perforated for the emergent neuromast. Variation in squamation useful in diagnosing species (Ref. 50473). Maximum length 40 cm, usually 20 cm (Ref. 7463). Species of the genus Coelophrys, with globose bodies and tiny pelvic fins, evidently are benthopelagic. All other batfishes are strongly depressed for benthic life. In many species, pelvic and anal fins are relatively thick-skinned and stout for supporting the body off the substrate (Ref. 50473). Capable of walking on the bottom using their large armlike pectoral and smaller pelvic fins. Swims awkwardly. Bottom dwellers feed on small invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 7463). Bathymetric distribution relatively wide, with Old World genera known primarily from outer continental shelves and continental slopes to 2,000-3,000 m; one species known from 4,000 m. New World species occurring inshore to subtidal depths and at least two reports of specimens taken upstream in rivers. All larvae and postlarvae so far known are pelagic (Ref. 50473). Assumed to be nonguarders.

  Etymology

Greek, ogkoo, to swell, to enlarge + Greek, kephale = head ( Ref. 45335).

  Reproductive guild

nonguarders

  Typical activity level

  Main Ref

Nelson, J.S. 1994

  Coordinator

Nelson, J.S. 1994

  Deep Fin Classification

Osteichthyes | Actinopterygii | Actinopteri | Neopterygii | Teleostei | Osteoglossocephalai | Clupeocephala | Euteleosteomorpha | Neoteleostei | Eurypterygia | Ctenosquamata | Acanthomorphata | Euacanthomorphacea | Percomorphaceae | Percomorpharia | Lophiiformes | Ogcocephaloidei | Ogcocephalidae