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Red-lipped batfish

Red-lipped batfish
© Shutterstock / Joe Dordo Brnobic

Common name:

Red-lipped batfish

Scientific name:

Ogcocephalus darwini

Spanish name:

Pez murciélago labio rojo

Conservation status:

Least Concern

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC

Average size:

25 centimetres

Maximum size:

40 centimetres

Overview

The red-lipped batfish is an unusual fish. Closely related to other batfish but completely unique to Galapagos, the red-lipped batfish is a bottom dweller and is usually found within the sandy bottom of reefs or on the ocean floor. They can be found at depths of 3 – 76 metres in the Pacific Ocean around Galapagos or around the edges of reefs up to about 120m deep. 

The body colour of the red-lipped batfish is light brown and greyish on its back, with a white stomach. On the top side, there is usually a dark brown stripe made of brown dots, starting at the head and going all the way down the back to the tail. The snout and horn of the red-lipped batfish are a brownish colour. As its name suggests, the batfish also has bright, almost fluorescent, red lips looking as though it has recently eaten a bloody meal, or is wearing some very bright lipstick.  

Red-lipped batfish in Galapagos

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Read more about red-lipped batfish...

27th Oct 2016
Wildlife facts

Red-lipped batfish

Closely related to other batfish but completely unique to Galapagos, the red-lipped batfish is a bottom dweller, and is usually found within the sandy bottom of reefs or on the ocean floor.
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