Fun Longnose Batfish Facts For Kids

Georgia Stone
Aug 31, 2023 By Georgia Stone
Originally Published on Mar 01, 2022
Read about longnose batfish facts to know about the walking longnose batfish.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.8 Min

The longnose batfish, which is also an aquarium fish species, is scientifically known as Ogcocephalus corniger. This sea fish species is often related to a primitive fish category because of its physical structure.

The longnose batfish is found in the Atlantic Ocean, which covers a wide range from North Carolina to the Bahamas, close to the Gulf of Mexico. The fish species is adaptable to the live coral reef environment and is often found on the sea bed walking using their large or big pectoral fins.

This is also the reason the fish is called the 'walking batfish'. The environment, which is utterly most suitable for them is subtropical, and the family the longnose batfish belongs to is Ogcocephalidae, which is well known for the anglerfish species.

Anglerfish and longnose batfish are often related to each other on the basis of their large pointing heads. The food diet that the fish feeds upon is carnivorous and consists of small fish, invertebrates, shrimp, and many other small crustaceans.

The longnose batfish is found in a depth range of 95–754.5 ft (29–230 m). If you want to keep them as a pet, then the ideal size of the aquarium should be 70 gal (265 l).

According to the IUCN, the longnose batfish is of Least Concern. There is little known about their reproduction, but it must be similar to that of other species in the same genus and family, such as the polka-dot batfish.

Longnose Batfish Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a longnose batfish?

A longnose batfish is a type of fish. This fish has a flattened body, thorny fins, and large pectoral fins that are used to 'walk' on the ocean floor. The longnose batfish is also known as the 'walking longnose batfish'. They are adaptable to living in the reef environment of the sea. 

What class of animal does a longnose batfish belong to?

Longnose batfish, scientifically known as Ogcocephalus corniger, belong to the genus of Ogcocephalus and the family Ogcocephalidae. They fall under the class of Actinopterygii and are often related to anglerfish.

The longnose batfish is in the order of Lophiiformes. Longnose batfish is known as one of the primitive species that are found in the seawater near the Atlantic Ocean along with their diet food.

How many longnose batfish are there in the world?

The exact number of longnose batfish which are found in the Atlantic Ocean is unknown, while as per the listing by the IUCN, this fish species number would be more in its geographical location. 

Where does a longnose batfish live?

The longnose batfish, Ogcocephalus corniger, is a fish species found in the Atlantic Ocean. Longnose batfish's geographical location is widespread from North Carolina to the Bahamas, close to the Gulf of Mexico. They are found with other fish species such as polka-dot batfish, anglerfish, and many others. 

What is a longnose batfish's habitat?

The longnose batfish, which is mostly found in the Atlantic Ocean, lives in subtropical water and is adaptable to the live coral reef environment of the sea. As per the biology of their study, they are mostly found near the sea bed.

Even if kept in an aquarium, you will find them on the tank floor.

They go along with the flat grass of the sea as far as the edges of the coral reef. The family longnose batfish belongs to makes them suitable to live in a depth range of 95–754.5 ft (29–230 m) in the ocean or sea.

Who do longnose batfish live with?

Longnose batfish, which is also a saltwater fish, can live with dwarf and large angle fish species, while anthias and basslet fish species require caution. They are also good for going with anglers and frogs.

The exact number of their group is unknown. If you keep them with their own kind, then it is not advisable to do so as they might feel competitive.

How long does a longnose batfish live?

Longnose batfish longevity is unknown while generally, they have carnivorous diet food.

How do they reproduce?

It is unknown how longnose batfish reproduce but is known to have reproduced sexually.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of longnose batfish is of Least Concern and was first described by Bradbury. 

Longnose batfish are not good at swimming and mostly walk on the sea bed.We've been unable to source an image of a longnose batfish and have used an image of an Atlantic batfish instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a longnose batfish, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

Longnose Batfish Fun Facts

What do longnose batfish look like?

Longnose batfish are closely related to anglerfish because of their large heads with long pointing noses. The pectoral fins of longnose batfish are large, which helps them walk along the sea bed. They do not have smooth scales while having thorny and patchy skin.

It also makes them fall under the category of primitive species. The color of the fish varies from red-brown to black-tan.

They have small to medium-sized spots of pale color all over their upper bodies. They are not good at swimming and mostly walk or crawl. The snout of the fish is used to attract its food, such as small fish, invertebrates, shrimp, and other small crustaceans.

How cute are they?

The longnose batfish is not at all cute. On a scale of five, they would rank at one, being the least cute.

How do they communicate?

The communication among these species is unknown.

How big is a longnose batfish?

The longnose batfish is 9 in (23 cm) in length.

How fast can a longnose batfish swim?

Longnose batfish are not good at swimming. They either crawl or walk along the sea bed near coral reefs. 

How much does a longnose batfish weigh?

The weight of the longnose batfish is unknown.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female species do not have any specific names. They are called by their common names, male longnose batfish and female longnose batfish. 

What would you call a baby longnose batfish?

A baby of longnose batfish is called a fry or fingerling.

What do they eat?

Longnose batfish are carnivorous, feeding small fish, crabs, invertebrates, and worms.

Are they dangerous?

As not much research has been done about the species, it is unknown whether the longnose batfish is dangerous to humans or not. However, a few sources say that although it looks dangerous, it is not.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, the longnose batfish would make a good pet and are kept in a large aquarium of 70 gal (265 l).

Did You Know...

Batfish are edible but are not that good when it's about flavor. Hence, they are mostly avoided by the people to include in their food.

A few species of batfish are coral reef safe while a few are not reef safe such as teira batfish. Batfish can be found in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. A batfish can get up to 14 in (36 cm) long while 18 in (45.

7 cm) in height. A batfish is called a batfish because of its large pectoral fins like a bat.

How did longnose batfish get their name?

Longnose batfish have been named after the long-pointed nose on their large heads, which are often related to anglerfish species. 

What adaptations do longnose batfish have?

The longnose batfish may be found at depths ranging from 95–754.5 ft (29–230 m). Subtropical conditions are the ideal environment for them. They are most commonly seen on the seafloor. They explore the flat grass of the sea as far as the borders of the coral reef.

 

Main image by Betty Wills (Atsme)

Second image by https://www.facebook.com/pages/P2-Design-Technologies/203541119704369

Longnose Batfish Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Small fish, invertebrates, shrimps, worms

What Type of Animal were they?

Carnivore

Average Litter Size?

N/A

How Much Did They Weigh?

N/A

What habitat Do they Live In?

Sea reefs, ocean beds, subtropical water

Where Do They Live?

north carolina, gulf of mexico, Bahamas, the atlantic ocean

How Long Were They?

9 in (23 cm)

How Tall Were They?

N/A

Class

Actinopterygii

Genus

Ogcocephalus

Family

Ogcocephalidae

Scientific Name

Ogcocephalus corniger

What Do They Look Like?

Red, pale brown, black

Skin Type

Thorny rough scales

What Are Their Main Threats?

whales, sharks, humans

What is their Conservation Status?

Least Concern
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Sources

https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/71/?pcatid=71

https://www.floridagofishing.com/species/batfish.html

https://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/fish/Lophiiformes/Ogcocephalidae/Ogcocephalus-corniger

https://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/shortnose-batfish/2475

https://cozumelscuba.com/longnose-batfish/

https://www.fishbase.se/summary/3095

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Written by Georgia Stone

Bachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia Stone picture

Georgia StoneBachelor of Arts specializing in French with Film Studies, Bachelor of Arts (Year Abroad) specializing in Literature, History, Language, Media, and Art

Georgia is an experienced Content Manager with a degree in French and Film Studies from King's College London and Bachelors degree from Université Paris-Sorbonne. Her passion for exploring the world and experiencing different cultures was sparked during her childhood in Switzerland and her year abroad in Paris. In her spare time, Georgia enjoys using London's excellent travel connections to explore further afield.

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