Home · Ogcocephalidae · Slantbrow batfish
Slantbrow batfish (Ogcocephalus declivirostris) — Ogcocephalidae

Slantbrow batfish

Ogcocephalus declivirostris
LC · Least Concern

The Slantbrow batfish (Ogcocephalus declivirostris) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
16.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
4.0–388.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, on sand and muddy bottoms from 3.5 to almost 400 m depth.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Slantbrow batfish?

Get the app

Description

The slantbrow batfish is a batfish (family Ogcocephalidae) of the western Atlantic. The species reaches about 16 cm and has a strongly flattened, rough, brown body with a triangular head and leg-like pectoral fins with which it 'walks' over the bottom. It lives on sand and mud bottoms, from about 3.5 to nearly 400 m depth. With a small lure beneath the snout it attracts prey, and it feeds on small crustaceans, molluscs and worms. The species is harmless to humans and of no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slantbrow batfish?

The Slantbrow batfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Strongly flattened bottom-dweller that 'walks' on leg-like pectoral fins; lures prey with a small lure organ.

Where does the Slantbrow batfish live?

The Slantbrow batfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Atlantic, on sand and muddy bottoms from 3.5 to almost 400 m depth.

How big does the Slantbrow batfish get?

The Slantbrow batfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Slantbrow batfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Slantbrow batfish edible?

The Slantbrow batfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Slantbrow batfish (Ogcocephalus declivirostris) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Guillermo H. Sosa-Tovar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slantbrow batfish (Ogcocephalus declivirostris) — Ogcocephalidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jon McIntyre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Slantbrow batfish (Ogcocephalus declivirostris) — Ogcocephalidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jon McIntyre, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Slantbrow batfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Slantbrow batfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Slantbrow batfish verified
Scientific name
Ogcocephalus declivirostris
Family
Ogcocephalidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
4.0 verified
Max depth (m)
388.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic, on sand and muddy bottoms from 3.5 to almost 400 m depth. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans, molluscs and worms 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
Strongly flattened bottom-dweller that 'walks' on leg-like pectoral fins; lures prey with a small lure organ. 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
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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Slantbrow batfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Slantbrow batfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Slantbrow batfish? Get the app