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Ring triangular batfish (Malthopsis annulifera) — Ogcocephalidae

Ring triangular batfish

Malthopsis annulifera
LC · Least Concern

The Ring triangular batfish (Malthopsis annulifera) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
90.0–590.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; soft bottoms in deeper water.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The deepsea batfish is a deep-sea batfish (Ogcocephalidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a flattened, triangular body set with bony knobs and sturdy pectoral and pelvic fins on which it 'walks' over the bottom as if on legs. Under the snout it carries a small retractable lure to attract prey. It lives bottom-bound on soft bottoms in deeper water. It feeds on small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ring triangular batfish?

The Ring triangular batfish has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Flattened body with bony tubercles; 'walks' on its fins and lures prey with a small lure.

Where does the Ring triangular batfish live?

The Ring triangular batfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Pacific; soft bottoms in deeper water.

How big does the Ring triangular batfish get?

The Ring triangular batfish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Ring triangular batfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Ring triangular batfish edible?

The Ring triangular batfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Ring triangular batfish (Malthopsis annulifera) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Lewis Radcliffe (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ring triangular batfish verified
Scientific name
Malthopsis annulifera
Family
Ogcocephalidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
90.0 verified
Max depth (m)
590.0 verified
Natural range
Western Pacific; soft bottoms in deeper water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates 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
Flattened body with bony tubercles; 'walks' on its fins and lures prey with a small lure. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. 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 Malthopsis

More from the family Ogcocephalidae

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