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Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) — Ogcocephalidae

Longnose batfish

Ogcocephalus nasutus
LC · Least Concern

The Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 38 cm.

Length
38 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–305.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; flat sand, rubble, seagrass and mud bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The shortnose batfish is a batfish (Ogcocephalidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a flattened, triangular, knob-covered body with a forward-projecting snout and arm-like pectoral and pelvic fins with which it 'walks' over the bottom rather than swimming. Under a hood on the snout it bears a small lure to attract prey. It inhabits flat sand, coral rubble, seagrass and mud bottoms, from the water's edge to at least 275 m deep. On the bottom it feeds on small invertebrates and small fishes. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Longnose batfish?

The Longnose batfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Triangular, knobbly body; 'walks' on arm-like fins and lures prey with a lure organ.

Where does the Longnose batfish live?

The Longnose batfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; flat sand, rubble, seagrass and mud bottoms.

How big does the Longnose batfish get?

The Longnose batfish grows to a maximum of about 38 cm.

Is the Longnose batfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Longnose batfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Longnose batfish edible?

The Longnose batfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Gilles San Martin (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) — Ogcocephalidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Gilles San Martin (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) — Ogcocephalidae — 4
Sieben Gutker de Geus (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Longnose batfish (Ogcocephalus nasutus) — Ogcocephalidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ryan Mannette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
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All data

Identification

English name
Longnose batfish verified
Scientific name
Ogcocephalus nasutus
Family
Ogcocephalidae
Other names
Redbellied batfish; Shortnose batfish; Shortnose Batfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
38.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
305.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; flat sand, rubble, seagrass and mud bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Triangular, knobbly body; 'walks' on arm-like fins and lures prey with a lure organ. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ogcocephalus

More from the family Ogcocephalidae

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