Illustration of batfish
batfish
noun
bat·fish
ˈbat-ˌfish 
: any of several fishes with winglike processes
especially
: any of a family (Ogcocephalidae of the order Lophiiformes) of flattened pediculate bony fishes
Examples of batfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Once prey is lured close by the glowing esca, the batfish snaps it up with a quick suction action, aided by its wide, extendable mouth.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Evolutionary studies show that batfish, such as Ogcocephalus darwini, belong to the anglerfish lineage (Lophioidei) — a diverse group of over 400 species.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Anglerfish ancestors lived on the seafloor and maneuvered around using specialized stout fins, much like their close relatives the batfishes and frogfishes.
—Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Although the red-lipped batfish appears to have legs, its limb-like appendages are actually fins, which the creature uses to stand on and to check out its surroundings.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
This bizarre-looking fish is also known as the Galapagos batfish and can be found at the bottom of the ocean.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Red-lipped batfish or Venezuelan poodle moth, anyone?
—Bryn Nelson /, NBC News, 14 June 2018
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—Brittany Nader, cleveland.com, 15 May 2018
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.
—Richard Conniff, Smithsonian, 29 Mar. 2017
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Evolutionary studies show that batfish, such as Ogcocephalus darwini, belong to the anglerfish lineage (Lophioidei) — a diverse group of over 400 species.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Anglerfish ancestors lived on the seafloor and maneuvered around using specialized stout fins, much like their close relatives the batfishes and frogfishes.
—Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
Although the red-lipped batfish appears to have legs, its limb-like appendages are actually fins, which the creature uses to stand on and to check out its surroundings.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
This bizarre-looking fish is also known as the Galapagos batfish and can be found at the bottom of the ocean.
—Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 17 Aug. 2022
Red-lipped batfish or Venezuelan poodle moth, anyone?
—Bryn Nelson /, NBC News, 14 June 2018
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—Brittany Nader, cleveland.com, 15 May 2018
Finds from the past several years include, for instance, a North African spider that cartwheels its way out of danger and a pancake batfish from Louisiana that hops on its fins.
—Richard Conniff, Smithsonian, 29 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Batfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batfish. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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