Common name:
Red-lipped batfish
Scientific name:
Ogcocephalus darwini
Spanish name:
Pez murciélago labio rojo
Conservation status:
Least Concern
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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