If you travel to the Galapagos Islands in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, you will find the red-lipped batfish, a very unusual sea creature that walks. It’s a species of fish that is endemic to Galapagos and can be found at depths of about 30 to 60 feet but can be found in deeper waters up to 400 feet.
This creature is not a good swimmer and spends most of its time walking on the sea floor blending in with sandy rocky bottom of the ocean. Red-lipped batfish do not have actual legs but modified pectoral and pelvic fins that resemble legs. To swim the fish tucks its pectoral fins underneath its body uses its tail and pelvic fin to propel through the water.
Apart from walking capabilities, the fish’s lips are bright lipstick red and scientists believe that this feature is for attracting mates.
On the top of the batfish’s head, there is also a special body part that extends outward called an illicium. After the red-lipped batfish fully matures, its dorsal fin becomes a single spine-like projection that comes out of the top of the head. The batfish uses the illicium as a way to lure prey near them. At the top of its illicium is an esca. The esca emits a bright light and since these fish dwell in deep waters, the light lures other fish to where the batfish is positioned. The esca lures the prey to the batfish which then allows it to eat those small creatures which fall into its trap.
Red-lipped batfish mainly feeds on other small fish and small invertebrates including shrimp, crabs, worms and mollusks.
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