Family Ogcocephalidae - Batfishes
Order : Lophiiformes Ogcocephalidae Ogcocephalidae
Class : Teleostei
No. in FishBase : Genera : 10 | Species : 88 Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes
Environment : Fresh : No | Brackish : No | Marine : Yes
Division : Marine
Aquarium : none
First Fossil Record :      
Remark : Distribution: worldwide in tropical and subtropical seas except absent from the Mediterranean Sea (Ref. 50473). Body usually considerably depressed and flattened ventrally (box-shaped in Coelophrys). Relatively short illicium (composed primarily of the modified pterygiophore of the first fin spine, remnant of second present. The illicial cavity, with its anterior opening, encloses the esca upon retraction of the illicium. Mouth nearly horizontal. Gill opening located in or above base of pectoral fin. Gills 2 or 2.5; first gill arch reduced and without filaments (Ref. 7463). Soft dorsal fin small, usually present, 1-6 rays lying posterior to the head. Anal fin short, with 3 or 4 rays. Pectoral rays 10-19; pelvic I, 5; caudal 9. Teeth minute, conical, in bands on jaws. Vertebrae 16-21. Scales always present, as highly variable, pyramid-shaped tubercles. Tubercles tiny, with long terminal spines, making fish look as if covered with coarse hair; to large and strongly calcified with bases close together, making fish appear to be encased in a thick carapace. Tubercles elaborately sculptured with bosses or crests; or simple pyramids without strong relief but very enlarged and with thick, strong terminal spines. Exceptions are structures associated with lateral line organs; these usually scale-like or boat-shaped, perforated for the emergent neuromast. Variation in squamation useful in diagnosing species (Ref. 50473). Maximum length 40 cm, usually 20 cm (Ref. 7463). Species of the genus Coelophrys, with globose bodies and tiny pelvic fins, evidently are benthopelagic. All other batfishes are strongly depressed for benthic life. In many species, pelvic and anal fins are relatively thick-skinned and stout for supporting the body off the substrate (Ref. 50473). Capable of walking on the bottom using their large armlike pectoral and smaller pelvic fins. Swims awkwardly. Bottom dwellers feed on small invertebrates and fishes (Ref. 7463). Bathymetric distribution relatively wide, with Old World genera known primarily from outer continental shelves and continental slopes to 2,000-3,000 m; one species known from 4,000 m. New World species occurring inshore to subtidal depths and at least two reports of specimens taken upstream in rivers. All larvae and postlarvae so far known are pelagic (Ref. 50473). Assumed to be nonguarders.
Etymology : Greek, ogkoo, to swell, to enlarge + Greek, kephale = head ( Ref. 45335).
Reproductive guild : nonguarders
Typical activity level :
Main Ref. : Nelson, J.S. 1994
Coordinator : Nelson, J.S. 1994
Deep Fin Classification : Osteichthyes | Actinopterygii | Actinopteri | Neopterygii | Teleostei | Osteoglossocephalai | Clupeocephala | Euteleosteomorpha | Neoteleostei | Eurypterygia | Ctenosquamata | Acanthomorphata | Acanthopterygii | Percomorphaceae | Eupercaria | | | Lophiiformes | Ogcocephaloidei | | Ogcocephalidae

Show species images | Show valid names | Nominal species list | Identification keys | CAS specimen photos | References

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948 ]
Glossary
[ e.g. oophagy ]


Species/Synonymy list for the family Ogcocephalidae as currently in FishBase

Important recommendation:

The list below must not be used as an authority reference synonymy list like those found in scientific published revisions, which must be the source to be used and cited eventually when they exist.

Rather, it reflects the current content of FishBase, and the progress with respect to synchronization with the Catalog of Fishes. However, we think it can be useful for users to assess the quality of information in FishBase, to start new work on the family, or to cross-check with other lists.

But we appreciate to be cited in publications when this list has been of any working value. In particular, for published scientific, we suggest then to cite it in the Material and Method section as a useful tool to conduct the research, but again, not as a taxonomic or nomenclatural authority reference.

Unless it is explicitly precised, the list is not complete, please search all original names published for the family in the Catalog of Fishes (genera, species), including those with uncertain or unknown status, that are not included in FishBase when they are not attached to a valid species.

This list uses some data from Catalog of Fishes (not shown but used to sort names).

The list ordered as follows:

Please send comments and corrections if you detect errors or missing names.

Show all | Show only accepted name | Show only accepted and original names
Scientifc name Status Senior/Junior synonym Combination
Ogcocephalus vespertilio (Linnaeus, 1758)
acceptedseniornew
Lophius vespertilio Linnaeus, 1758
synonymseniororiginal
! Ogcocephalus vespertilo (Linnaeus, 1758)
synonymseniornew
Malthaea longirostris Valenciennes, 1837
synonymjuniororiginal
Ogcocephalus radiatus (Mitchill, 1818)
acceptedseniornew
Lophius radiatus Mitchill, 1818
synonymseniororiginal
Ogcocephalus nasutus (Cuvier, 1829)
acceptedseniornew
Malthe nasuta Cuvier, 1829
synonymseniororiginal
! Ogcoephalus nasutus (Cuvier, 1829)
synonymseniornew
Ogcocephalus cubifrons (Richardson, 1836)
acceptedseniornew
Lophius cubifrons Richardson, 1836
synonymseniororiginal
Malthaea cubifrons (Richardson, 1836)
synonymseniornew
Ogcocephalus notatus (Valenciennes, 1837)
acceptedseniornew
Malthaea notata Valenciennes, 1837
synonymseniororiginal
Malthe angusta Cuvier, 1829
synonymjuniororiginal
Malthe notata Cuvier, 1829
ambiguousotheroriginal
Malthaea truncata Valenciennes, 1837
synonymjuniororiginal
synonymjuniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
! Oncocephalus porrectus Garman, 1899
synonymseniororiginal
Ogcocephalus parvus Longley & Hildebrand, 1940
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Ogcocephalus corniger Bradbury, 1980
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Ogcocephalus pumilus Bradbury, 1980
acceptedseniororiginal
Ogcocephalus rostellum Bradbury, 1980
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutaea stellata (Vahl, 1797)
acceptedseniornew
synonymseniororiginal
! Halieutaea stallata (Vahl, 1797)
synonymseniornew
! Halieutea stellatus (Vahl, 1797)
synonymseniornew
Halieutaea maoria Powell, 1937
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutaea coccinea Alcock, 1889
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutaea nigra Alcock, 1891
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutaea fumosa Alcock, 1894
acceptedseniororiginal
! Haliutea fumosa Alcock, 1894
synonymseniororiginal
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutaea retifera Gilbert, 1905
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
! Halieutea hancocki Regan, 1908
synonymseniororiginal
! Halieuteus hirsuta Smith, 1965
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutaea hirsuta Smith, 1965
synonymjuniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
! Halieutea brevicauda Ogilby, 1910
synonymseniororiginal
Halieutaea indica Annandale & Jenkins, 1910
acceptedseniororiginal
Lophius faujas Lacepède, 1798
ambiguousotheroriginal
ambiguousotheroriginal
Astrocanthus stellatus Swainson, 1839
ambiguoushomonymoriginal
Halieutaea sinica Tchang & Chang, 1964
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutea spicata Smith, 1965
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutaea spicata Smith, 1965
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutaea fitzsimonsi (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1916)
acceptedseniornew
Halieutichthys fitzsimonsi Gilchrist & Thompson, 1916
synonymseniororiginal
! Halieutea liogaster Regan, 1921
synonymjuniororiginal
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutichthys aculeatus (Mitchill, 1818)
acceptedseniornew
Lophius aculeatus Mitchill, 1818
synonymseniororiginal
! Halieuticthis aculeatus (Mitchill, 1818)
synonymseniornew
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutella lappa Goode & Bean, 1884
synonymjuniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutichthys smithii Evermann & Marsh, 1900
ambiguousquestionableoriginal
Halieutichthys bispinosus Ho, Chakrabarty & Sparks, 2010
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutichthys aculeatus (non Mitchill, 1818)
misappliedmisappliednew
Halieutichthys intermedius Ho, Chakrabarty & Sparks, 2010
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
synonymjuniororiginal
Dibranchus spongiosa (Gilbert, 1890)
acceptedseniornew
Halieutaea spongiosa Gilbert, 1890
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchopsis spongiosa (Gilbert, 1890)
synonymseniornew
Dibranchus spongiosus (Gilbert, 1890)
synonymseniornew
Dibranchus nasutus Alcock, 1891
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutopsis nasuta (Alcock, 1891)
synonymseniornew
Dibranchus erinaceus (Garman, 1899)
acceptedseniornew
Malthopsis erinacea Garman, 1899
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchus hystrix Garman, 1899
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus asper Garman, 1899
synonymjuniororiginal
Dibranchus scaber Garman, 1899
synonymjuniororiginal
Dibranchus nudivomer (Garman, 1899)
acceptedseniornew
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchus sparsus (Garman, 1899)
acceptedseniornew
Malthopsis sparsa Garman, 1899
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchus spinosus (Garman, 1899)
acceptedseniornew
Malthopsis spinosa Garman, 1899
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchus spinosa (Garman, 1899)
synonymseniornew
synonymjuniororiginal
Dibranchus alberti Núñez Barron, 1967
synonymjuniororiginal
Dibranchus japonicus Amaoka & Toyoshima, 1981
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus accinctus Bradbury, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus cracens Bradbury, McCosker & Long, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus discors Bradbury, McCosker & Long, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus tremendus Bradbury, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Dibranchus atlanticus (non Peters, 1876)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Dibranchus velutinus Bradbury, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Halicmetus ruber Alcock, 1891
acceptedseniororiginal
! Halicmetes ruber Alcock, 1891
synonymseniororiginal
Halicmetus odysseus Prokofiev, 2020
acceptedseniororiginal
Halicmetus reticulatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
Halicmetus niger Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008
acceptedseniororiginal
! Halicmetus nigra Ho, Endo & Sakamaki, 2008
synonymseniororiginal
Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891
acceptedseniororiginal
! Malthopsis luteus Alcock, 1891
synonymseniororiginal
Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert & Cramer, 1897
acceptedseniororiginal
! Malthopsis mitriger Gilbert & Cramer, 1897
synonymseniororiginal
synonymjuniororiginal
Malthopsis jordani (non Gilbert, 1905)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Malthopsis tiarella Jordan, 1902
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis lutea (non Alcock, 1891)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Malthopsis jordani Gilbert, 1905
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis ocellata Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
synonymjuniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
! Malthopsis kobayashi Tanaka, 1916
synonymseniororiginal
Malthopsis lutea (non Alcock, 1891)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
! Malthopsis luteus (non Alcock, 1891)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961
acceptedseniorchange in rank
synonymseniororiginal
Malthopsis gnoma Bradbury, 1998
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis retifera Ho, Prokofiev & Shao, 2009
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis gigas Ho & Shao, 2010
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis jordani (non Gilbert, 1905)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts & Shao, 2013
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis lutea (non Alcock, 1891)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
Malthopsis tiarella (non Jordan, 1902)
misappliedmisappliedoriginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts & Shao, 2013
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis formosa Ho & Koeda, 2019
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis apis Ho & Last, 2021
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis bulla Ho & Last, 2021
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis mcgroutheri Ho & Last, 2021
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis oculata Ho & Last, 2021
acceptedseniororiginal
Malthopsis tetrabulla Ho & Last, 2021
acceptedseniororiginal
Zalieutes elater (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)
acceptedseniornew
Malthe elater Jordan & Gilbert, 1882
synonymseniororiginal
Zalieutes mcgintyi (Fowler, 1952)
acceptedseniornew
synonymseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniornew
synonymseniororiginal
Halieutopsis simula (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912)
acceptedseniornew
Dibranchus simulus Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
synonymseniororiginal
Dibranchus infranudus de Beaufort, 1962
synonymjuniororiginal
Halieutopsis stellifera (Smith & Radcliffe, 1912)
acceptedseniornew
Dibranchus stellifer Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
synonymseniororiginal
Halieutopsis vermicularis Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutopsis galatea Bradbury, 1988
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutopsis ingerorum Bradbury, 1988
acceptedseniororiginal
Halieutopsis margaretae Ho & Shao, 2007
acceptedseniororiginal
acceptedseniororiginal
Coelophrys micropus (Alcock, 1891)
acceptedseniornew
Dibranchus micropus Alcock, 1891
synonymseniororiginal
Halieutopsis micropa (Alcock, 1891)
synonymseniornew
Halieutopsis micropus (Alcock, 1891)
synonymseniornew
! Coelophrys micropa (Alcock, 1891)
synonymseniornew
Coelophrys arca Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
Coelophrys brevipes Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
! Coelophrys breviceps Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
synonymseniororiginal
Coelophrys mollis Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
Coelophrys oblonga Smith & Radcliffe, 1912
acceptedseniororiginal
Coelophrys bradburyae Endo & Shinohara, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
Solocisquama stellulata (Gilbert, 1905)
acceptedseniornew
synonymseniororiginal
Solocisquama erythrina (Gilbert, 1905)
acceptedseniornew
Dibranchus erythrinus Gilbert, 1905
synonymseniororiginal
Solocisquama carinata Bradbury, 1999
acceptedseniororiginal
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