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UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



BATFISHES: Family Ogcocephalidae 



The pectoral "arms" of these unique fishes are especially well developed. 

 Their distribution is world-wide on sandy bottoms of warm seas, and they are 

 often seen in harbors. 



BATFiSH (toad, diablo) : Ogcocefholus ves'pertilio 



Size: Up to 9 inches. 



Distrihution: West Indies to Florida, rarely north to New York. 



Identification: Same as for the family. 



Habits: The warty, sand-colored body makes this fish very hard to see. It is 

 flattened and broad so as not to cast a shadow (Chapter 2). The authors observed 

 this fish in the harbor of Nassau. It crept slowly over the sandy bottom, search- 

 ing for its food, which might comprise almost any living object of a size which 

 would fit into the rather small mouth. When approached, it froze; then on close 

 approach, it spread its pectoral and tail fins, exposing a striking banded pattern. 

 This is a display designed to focus an enemy's attention on an apparently dan- 

 gerous part of the body, in other words, an intimidation based on advertisement 

 (Chapter 2). 



Fig. 183. Batfish. 



