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Batfish

Batfish is a used for several unrelated groups of marine fishes, particularly those with flattened bodies and pectoral fins resembling bat wings. The term most commonly refers to: The name is also applied to certain rays (family Myliobatidae) and other species.

Fish

Ogcocephalidae

The Ogcocephalidae, commonly known as batfishes, form a within the Lophiiformes (anglerfishes), encompassing approximately 93 species distributed across 10 genera, such as Ogcocephalus, Halieutichthys, and Zalieutes. This monotypic suborder Ogcocephaloidei highlights their unique evolutionary position among anglerfishes, characterized by specialized benthic adaptations. These fishes are marine bottom-dwellers, primarily carnivorous, and exhibit a global in tropical and subtropical seas. Physically, ogcocephalids feature a flattened, triangular or disc-shaped body, often reaching up to 40 cm in length, with skin covered in large pyramid-shaped tubercular scales that contribute to their armored appearance. Their pectoral and pelvic fins are enlarged and modified into sturdy, limb-like structures, allowing them to "walk" across the seafloor by alternately moving these appendages. A prominent is the short —a modified —extending from the head, tipped with an esca (lure) used to attract prey, paired with a small terminal mouth armed with sharp teeth for ambush strikes. They possess limited ability, relying on pectoral undulations for short bursts rather than sustained propulsion. Ogcocephalids occupy benthic habitats in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, from shallow inshore waters to depths exceeding 4,000 m on soft substrates like or , though most are found between 3 and 300 m. As ambush predators, they "walk" sideways along the bottom using their limbs to position themselves, then deploy the esca to lure nearby prey. Their diet consists mainly of small , including crustaceans (such as shrimps, crabs, and amphipods), mollusks (like snails and clams), and polychaete worms, with occasional small fish. Typically solitary or forming loose aggregations, they employ body coloration and shape for seafloor to avoid detection. Reproduction involves , with females releasing buoyant, gelatinous egg rafts that develop into pelagic larvae. Notable species include the (Ogcocephalus darwini), endemic to the and coastal at depths of 3–76 m, where it preys on small fish and crustaceans in sandy or muddy areas. The polka-dot batfish (Ogcocephalus cubifrons) inhabits western Atlantic waters from to the , at 0–70 m on soft bottoms, distinguished by its spotted pattern. The roughback batfish (Ogcocephalus parvus), found along the western Atlantic coast from to at 54–125 m, is recognized for its prominent tubercled armor. Overall, ogcocephalids face minimal direct threats, with most species classified as Least Concern by the IUCN; however, certain deep-water taxa are vulnerable to incidental capture as in fisheries. Unlike the shallow-reef batfishes, ogcocephalids are specialized deep-sea walkers with traits.

Platax

is a genus of Indo-Pacific marine fishes belonging to the family Ephippidae (spadefishes), within the order . There are five recognized in the genus: Platax orbicularis (orbicular batfish), P. pinnatus (longfin batfish), P. teira (dass or teira batfish), P. batavianus (batavian spadefish), and P. fimbriatus (fringed batfish). These are reef-associated and share the common name "batfish" with the unrelated deep-sea family Ogcocephalidae, though differ markedly in their shallow-water habitats and disc-like body shapes. Species in the genus exhibit deep, laterally compressed, disc- or oval-shaped bodies that can reach up to 80 cm in length. Their coloration ranges from silvery to brownish, often featuring dark vertical bars or spots; juveniles display more intricate patterns for , while adults are generally plainer. They possess tall and anal fins for enhanced maneuverability, small mouths with fine teeth suited to their , and a toothless and . Juveniles have rounder, more cryptic forms that aid in hiding among structures, whereas adults become more streamlined for open-water swimming. Platax species inhabit the Indo-West Pacific region, with some occurrences in the eastern Atlantic, and have been introduced to areas such as southeastern . They prefer shallow coastal waters from 1 to 50 m depth, including coral reefs, mangroves, beds, and silty substrates, often congregating near shipwrecks or artificial structures. These fishes are omnivorous, feeding on , sponges, small crustaceans, and , with diets varying slightly by life stage and . Juveniles typically form for protection against predators, while adults are solitary or occur in small groups and are diurnal active swimmers. Reproduction involves broadcast spawning as pelagic spawners, with no . Platax hold economic value in the aquarium trade, particularly juveniles due to their striking appearances and adaptability, and are occasionally targeted in small-scale fisheries. Representative species include the orbicular batfish (P. orbicularis), distributed from the to , where juveniles inhabit mangroves and adults favor deeper reefs up to 50 m. The longfin batfish (P. pinnatus) occurs in the western Pacific from the to and is popular in aquariums for its vivid juvenile patterns of black bodies with orange margins. The teira batfish (P. teira) ranges across the , growing to 70 cm, and associates with reefs and estuaries, often displaying yellowish-silver hues with dark bars. Adaptations in include elongated fins that facilitate precise maneuvering in currents and the ability to change coloration for among corals and structures, enhancing survival in complex coastal environments.

Other uses

Music

Batfish Boys was an English formed in in and by vocalist and guitarist Simon Denbigh shortly after his departure from the group the . Initially operating as a with contributions from former members Laurence Elliott and Tom Ashton, the band evolved from gothic and swamp-rock roots into a harder-edged , drawing influences from 1980s , bluesy , and acts like and . By 1987, they signed with GWR Records, Motörhead's label, and toured with bands including UFO and Zodiac Mindwarp, but internal tensions and inadequate promotion led to their shortening the name to Batfish around 1989 and disbanding in 1990. The band's lineup rotated frequently, reflecting the fluid nature of the local and music scene, with no fixed members beyond as the creative leader and frontman (sometimes billed as Simon or Simon Diablo). Early drummers included Martin "Bomber" Pink, formerly of , while guitarists like Murray Fenton and Johnny Burman, bassist Bob Diablo, and others contributed across recordings. This instability contributed to their raw, unpolished aesthetic but also to the challenges in maintaining momentum. Their discography, released primarily on independent labels, featured limited runs that captured their transitional style from desolate to psychedelic and arena-oriented . Key include the debut The Gods Hate (1985, Batfish Incorporated), a swampy exploration of unhinged and riffs; Head (1986, Batfish Incorporated), emphasizing muddy guitar-driven tracks; and the final effort Batfish Brew (1989, GWR Records), which leaned into heavier, more commercial rock. Notable singles encompassed the 12-inch "The Bomb " b/w "I'm a " (1987, Batfish Incorporated), highlighting their energetic live energy. Following the split, released solo material and fronted projects like D-Rok. Batfish Boys developed a cult following within the UK's underground goth and indie scenes, appreciated for their eccentric, cider-fueled descent into alternative rock that predated the grebo movement, though commercial success eluded them due to lineup flux and industry shifts. Denbigh later reflected on the band as an "escape" from prior pressures. In contemporary contexts, the name has been revived by a separate Norwich-based ensemble blending , rock, and indie, formed in the 2010s and known for sax-led releases like the single Bad 4 U (2024).

United States Navy submarines

The United States Navy has commissioned two submarines named USS Batfish, both honoring the batfish, a spiny fish found in shallow waters from Chesapeake Bay to the West Indies. The first, USS Batfish (SS-310), was a Balao-class diesel-electric submarine that played a significant role in World War II submarine warfare, while the second, USS Batfish (SSN-681), was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine that contributed to Cold War operations. These vessels exemplify the evolution of U.S. submarine technology and tactics across decades. USS Batfish (SS-310) was laid down on 31 December 1942 at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in , launched on 5 May 1943, and commissioned on 21 August 1943. As a , she measured 311 feet 8 inches in length with a beam of 27 feet 3 inches and a draft of 15 feet 3 inches, displacing 1,525 tons surfaced and 2,415 tons submerged. Her propulsion allowed speeds of 20.25 knots surfaced and 8.75 knots submerged, with a crew of 66 officers and enlisted personnel. Armament included ten 21-inch torpedo tubes (six forward and four aft), one 5-inch , one 40 mm gun, two .50-caliber machine guns, and a standard load of 40 torpedoes. During , SS-310 conducted seven war patrols in the Pacific Theater, earning nine battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for her sixth patrol. Her most notable achievement occurred during this patrol from 28 January to 20 March 1945 off in the , where she sank three s—RO-55 on 10 February, RO-112 on 11 February, and RO-113 on 13 February—in just 76 hours, earning her the title of "Champion Submarine-Killer" of the war. These sinkings, confirmed postwar, totaled approximately 1,830 tons of enemy displacement and demonstrated advanced U.S. tactics in . Overall, SS-310 contributed to sinking Japanese shipping, though postwar assessments credited her with six vessels for a total of around 10,658 tons in surface and targets. She was decommissioned on 11 July 1946 at and placed in reserve. Reactivated on 7 March 1952 amid the , SS-310 recommissioned on 1 November 1952 and served primarily in training roles with the Atlantic Fleet until decommissioning again on 4 August 1958 at . She remained in reserve until struck from the on 1 November 1969. Transferred to the Oklahoma Historical Society on 18 February 1972, she became a at the Park in , where visitors could tour her interior and learn about her wartime exploits. As of November 2025, due to repeated flooding at the park, efforts are underway to relocate the submarine and associated artifacts to the River Event Center at the Three Rivers Marina in Muskogee, with the museum temporarily relocated to Port Muskogee's Three Forks Harbor in July 2025, under local historical organizations and FEMA oversight. The second USS Batfish (SSN-681), a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, was laid down on 9 February 1970 at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, launched on 9 October 1971, and commissioned on 1 September 1972. She had a length of 292 feet, a beam of 32 feet, and a draft of 29 feet, displacing 3,860 tons surfaced and 4,630 tons submerged, with speeds exceeding 20 knots powered by a single S5W nuclear reactor. Her crew numbered 107, and she was equipped with four 21-inch torpedo tubes for advanced Mark 48 torpedoes and SUBROC anti-submarine rockets, along with sophisticated sonar systems for underwater detection and targeting. Throughout her career, homeported in , SSN-681 operated in , Mediterranean, and , focusing on (ASW) during the . She participated in exercises such as "Northern Merger" and "Deep Express," conducted , and supported midshipman training cruises, enhancing U.S. naval capabilities against Soviet submarine threats. Decommissioned and struck from the on 17 March 1999 after 27 years of service, she underwent submarine recycling at the , with the process completed on 22 November 2002, rendering her no longer intact as a historical artifact.

References

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