Ogcocephalidae


Ogcocephalidae is a family of anglerfish specifically adapted for a benthic lifestyle of crawling about on the seafloor. Ogcocephalid anglerfish are sometimes referred to as batfishes, deep-sea batfishes, handfishes, and seabats. They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. They are mostly found at depths between, but have been recorded as deep as. A few species live in much shallower coastal waters and, exceptionally, may enter river estuaries.
They are dorsoventrally compressed fishes similar in appearance to rays, with a large circular or triangular head, which in Coelophrys is box-shaped, and a small tail. The largest members of the family are approximately in standard length. The illicium may be retracted into an illicial cavity above the mouth. The esca is not luminous, as in most other groups of anglerfishes, but secretes a fluid thought to act as a chemical lure, attracting prey. Analysis of their stomach contents indicates that batfishes feed on fish, crustaceans, and polychaete worms.

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