This fish walks on the ocean floor with its fins. This fish has
three of its fins greatly extended to form a tripod which allows the
fish to move easily over the soft substrates without sinking
into it.


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Tripod fish, tripod spiderfish (Bathypterois grallator)
The tripod fish or tripod spiderfish (Bathypterois grallator) is a deep-sea benthic fish in the family Ipnopidae1. It is found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans and is commonly found at depths ranging from 878 to 4,720 m. The tripodfish has long, bony rays that stick out below its tail fin and both pelvic fins. It uses these elongated rays to “stand” on the ocean floor and catch prey. Bathypterois grallator is hermaphroditic and is the largest member of its genus, commonly exceeding a standard length of 30 cm and reaching up to 43.4 cm.
Order: Aulopiformes > Family: Ipnopidae > Genus: Bathypterois > Species: Bathypterois grallator