Ogcocephalus cubifrons

Ogcocephalus cubifrons
Polka-dot Batfish – Ogcocephalus cubifrons
Ogcocephalus cubifrons
Polka-dot Batfish – Ogcocephalus cubifrons Photo Credit: G.H. Burgess
FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
OgcocephalidaeOgcocephalus cubifrons(Richardson)1836Polka-dot Batfish

All Ogcocephalus Species: Underside of body completely covered by small prickle-like and/or rough cone-shaped scales; underside of tail densely covered with small prickles. Pectoral-fin lobes separated from tail, forming distinct elbow. Lure prominent in cavity above mouth. Subopercular spine blunt or little developed or, if large, without spinelets. Rostrum horn-shaped, short to bizarrely long. A few larger cone-shaped scales sometimes present, especially in midline. Most species more than 8 cm (FAO 2002).

Ogcocephalus cubifrons

Unique Characters: Pectoral rays 12/12 to 15/15. Round dark spots occurring over entire dorsal surface of disk and prominent on dorsal surface of pectoral fins (Bradbury 1980).

Similar Species:

Ogcocephalus corniger, Longnose Batfish

Ogcocephlaus corniger
Longnose Batfish – Ogcocephlaus corniger Photo Credit: G.H. Burgess

Longnose Batfish Ogcocephalus corniger. Pectoral rays 10/10 to 11/11 or 11/12. Rostrum very long, length 0.9-1.6 in head depth, 1.6-3.1 in length of disk margin (Bradbury 1980).

Ogcocephalus nasutus, Shortnose Batfish

Ogcocephalus nasutus, Shortnose Batfish, Source: Bradbury 1980.
Ogcocephalus nasutus, Shortnose Batfish, Source: Bradbury 1980.

Shortnose Batfish, Ogcocephalus nasutus. Pectoral rays 12/12 to 15/15. Round dark spots either absent or, if present, restricted to center of disk on either side. Pectorals without spotted pattern, or if spots occur, they are dim and restricted to the bases of pectorals. Rostrum a well-developed median horn. Jaw relatively long, length 1.2-1.6 in width of cranium (Bradbury 1980).

Ogcocephalus parvus, Roughback Batfish

Ogcocephalus parvus, Roughback Batfish. Source: Langley & Hildebrand 1940.
Ogcocephalus parvus, Roughback Batfish. Source: Langley & Hildebrand 1940.

Roughback Batfish, Ogcocephalus parvus. Pectoral rays 10/10 to 11/11 or 11/12. Rostrum moderate to short, length 1.7-4.0 in head depth, 3.2-8.5 in length of disk margin (Bradbury 1980).

Ogcocephalus rostellum, Palefin Batfish

Ogcocephalus rostellum
Palefin Batfish – Ogcocephalus rostellum
Ogcocephalus rostellum
Palefin Batfish – Ogcocephalus rostellum
Ogcocephalus rostellum
Palefin Batfish – Ogcocephalus rostellum

Palefin Batfish, Ogcocephalus rostellum. Pectoral rays 12/12 to 15/15. Round dark spots either absent or, if present, restricted to center of disk on either side. Pectorals without spotted pattern, or if spots occur, they are dim and restricted to the bases of pectorals. Rostrum extremely short, not produced into a median horn except in very small specimens. No stripes radiating from eye, although spots may occur on iris. Jaw short, length 1.4-1.9 in width of cranium (Bradbury 1980).

References:

Bradbury, M.G. 1980. A revision of the fish genus Ogcocephalus with descriptions of new species from the western Atlantic Ocean (Ogcocephalidae; Lophiiformes). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (Series 4) 42 (7): 229-285.

Longley, W.H. and S.F. Hildebrand. 1940. New genera and species of fishes from Tortugas, Florida. Papers Tortugas Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington v. 32: 223-285, Pl. 1