The
red-lipped batfish or Ogcocepphalus
darwini belongs to the family
Ogcocephalidae. This fish is endemic to the waters surrounding the Galapagos
Islands, Coco
Island
and Costa
Rica.
These are bottom dwellers usually occupy depths in the 100 feet range.
The
red-lipped batfish is definitely one of the more bizarre looking marine
specimens. Its body is very tightly compressed horizontally. Despite
their
name, these batfish only bear a vague resemblance to the animal form
after
which they are named. Quite obviously this particular species has red
lips.
This
species has two distinctive evolutionary traits in common with another
odd looking bottom dwelling group of fish know as anglerfish or
frogfish. Both
are poor swimmers and rely heavily on modified fin structures to walk
on the
ocean floor.
Both
have dorsal fins that
have adapted into spine like appendages on their heads that are used to
lull
their prey. These unique creatures actually go fishing for their
dinners. This
is accomplished by the use of an appendage know as an illicium. The
illiciums
is a thin, string-like extension that can be projected or cast out in
front of
their bodies much like a fisherman casts out his fishing line. They
have a
second evolutionary adaptation known as an esca. Esca are thicker
membranes on
the tip of the illicium which have the same function as placing a lure
on the
end of a fishing line. Unlike frogfish, batfish have an elongated snout
that
overhangs their fishing appendages and serves to protect them from
damage. The
coloration of both these fish, although nothing alike, serves as a
natural
means of camouflage to aid them in the capture of prey. This batfish is
brown
with spikes on its upper body and blends in quite well with the ocean
floor.
Because
of its predatory nature batfish are not considered good community
tank dweller. They are actually quite docile in nature. These are
relatively
small fish. They only grow to 3.5-5 inches as an adult. If you wish to
obtain
one make sure its fellow tank mates are not small enough to be lured in
and
eaten. These fish inhabit deeper waters in their natural environment.
They will
require a dimly lit aquarium.
This is
a carnivorous creature. In nature their diet consists primarily of
small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Live food may be required in
order to
help them better acclimate to a captive environment. Since this species
is
rarely kept in home aquariums they are not known to breed in captivity.
