Home · Ogcocephalidae · Soft seabat
Soft seabat (Coelophrys mollis) — Ogcocephalidae

Soft seabat

Coelophrys mollis

The Soft seabat (Coelophrys mollis) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–686.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Philippines

Want the complete picture on the Soft seabat?

Get the app

Description

The soft seabat is a deepwater batfish (Ogcocephalidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has an inflated, almost spherical, soft body and short, leg-like pectoral fins on which it 'walks' over the deep bottom. Beneath a snout protrusion it carries a small lure. As a bottom-dweller of the continental slope it lures and snaps small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Soft seabat?

The Soft seabat has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Soft seabat live?

The Soft seabat lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Philippines

How big does the Soft seabat get?

The Soft seabat grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Soft seabat dangerous to humans?

No, the Soft 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.

More photos

Soft seabat (Coelophrys mollis) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Lewis Radcliffe (Public domain)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Soft seabat?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Soft seabat sourced
Scientific name
Coelophrys mollis
Family
Ogcocephalidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.9 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
686.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Coelophrys

More from the family Ogcocephalidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Soft seabat?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Soft seabat? Get the app