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| The red-lipped batfish or Galapagos batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini) is a fish of unusual morphology found around the Galapagos Islands and off Peru at depths of 3 to 76 m. Red-lipped batfish are closely related to rosy-lipped batfish (Ogcocephalus porrectus), which are found near Cocos Island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This fish is mainly known for its bright red lips. Batfish are not good swimmers; they use their highly adapted pectoral fins to "walk" on the ocean floor. When the batfish reaches maturity, its dorsal fin becomes a single spine-like projection (thought to function primarily as a lure for prey). Like other anglerfish, the red-lipped batfish has a structure on its head known as illicium. This structure is employed for attracting prey. Order: Lophiiformes, Family: Ogcocephalidae, Species: Ogcocephalus darwini C. L. Hubbs, 1958. |
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![[Daily Photos 07 July 2005] Red-Lipped Batfish, Cocos Island, Costa Rica; Image ONLY](Arch03/1130520774.jpg)
