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Circular seabat (Halieutaea fitzsimonsi) — Ogcocephalidae

Circular seabat

Halieutaea fitzsimonsi
LC · Least Concern

The Circular seabat (Halieutaea fitzsimonsi) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–120.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The circular seabat is a deep-sea batfish from the Indian Ocean, off the coast of southern Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a strongly flattened, almost round body covered with stout spinelets, and a small lure above the mouth that retracts into a cavity. As a slow bottom-dweller it shuffles over soft bottoms of the deeper coastal sea and lures small prey. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Circular seabat?

The Circular seabat has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Round flattened body with small thorns; retractable lure

Where does the Circular seabat live?

The Circular seabat lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Indian Ocean

How big does the Circular seabat get?

The Circular seabat grows to a maximum of about 30 cm.

Is the Circular seabat dangerous to humans?

No, the Circular seabat is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Circular seabat edible?

The Circular seabat is not usually eaten.

More photos

Circular seabat (Halieutaea fitzsimonsi) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Circular seabat (Halieutaea fitzsimonsi) — Ogcocephalidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Circular seabat (Halieutaea fitzsimonsi) — Ogcocephalidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 張容嘉, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Circular seabat verified
Scientific name
Halieutaea fitzsimonsi
Family
Ogcocephalidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic invertebrates and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Slow deep-sea batfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Round flattened body with small thorns; retractable lure sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Halieutaea

More from the family Ogcocephalidae

Fin

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