Ogcocephalidae
| Ogcocephalidae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Halieutaea stellata in Takeshima Aquarium, Japan | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Family: |
Ogcocephalidae D. S. Jordan, 1895 |
| Genera | |
|
Coelophrys |
|
Coelophrys
Dibranchus
Halicmetus
Halieutaea
Halieutichthys
Halieutopsis
Malthopsis
Ogcocephalus
Solocisquama
Zalieutes
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 200 and 3,000 m (660 and 9,840 ft), but have been recorded as deep as 4,000 m (13,000 ft). 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, triangular, or box-shaped (in Coelophrys) head and a small tail. The largest members of the family are about 50 cm (20 in) in standard length. The illicium (a modified dorsal fin ray on the front of the head supporting the esca, a bulbous lure) can 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.
Painting of Halieutaea stellata by Kawahara Keiga, 1825
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