Home · Ogcocephalidae · Triangular batfish
Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) — Ogcocephalidae

Triangular batfish

Malthopsis gnoma

The Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) is a saltwater fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.1 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
91.0–475.0 m
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is. (US)

Want the complete picture on the Triangular batfish?

Get the app

Description

The triangular batfish is a deepwater batfish (Ogcocephalidae) from the Atlantic Ocean. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, triangular body armoured with spiny plates 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 Triangular batfish?

The Triangular batfish has an irregular in shape body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Triangular batfish live?

The Triangular batfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is. (US)

How big does the Triangular batfish get?

The Triangular batfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Triangular batfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Triangular batfish 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

Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) — Ogcocephalidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson, Carole C. Baldwin (Public domain)
Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) — Ogcocephalidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson, Carole C. Baldwin (Public domain)
Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) — Ogcocephalidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson (Public domain)
Triangular batfish (Malthopsis gnoma) — Ogcocephalidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — D Ross Robertson (Public domain)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Triangular batfish?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Triangular batfish sourced
Scientific name
Malthopsis gnoma
Family
Ogcocephalidae
Other names
Atlantic triangular batfish sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.1 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
91.0 verified
Max depth (m)
475.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Is. (US) 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 Malthopsis

More from the family Ogcocephalidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Triangular batfish?

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

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