Quick Take
- Scientists still can't agree on why red-lipped batfish wear what looks like bright lipstick, and the leading theory turns out to be stranger than you'd expect. Discover the lip mystery →
- This fish is technically capable of swimming, though there is a specific reason it almost never does. See how it moves →
- Hidden on its head is a weapon borrowed straight from one of the ocean's most notorious predators. Learn about its lure →
- Its face looks menacing, but its relationship with humans is the opposite of what you'd guess. Explore its temperament →
The ocean is full of some pretty interesting and scary-looking animals. With so much of the ocean still unexplored, it feels as though you can discover something new about its creatures every day. For example, you may have never heard of the red-lipped batfish, which is famous for, as the name suggests, its bright red lips. This Instagram post by @deepoceanworld features a video of these fish, and it looks as if someone put bright lipstick on them. Read on to learn more about these strange fish.
The red-lipped batfish’s fins look more like limbs as they use them to crawl along the sea floor.
©iStock.com/tswinner
About the Red-Lipped Batfish
The red-lipped batfish is one of the strangest fish out there, and for good reason. These fish are found primarily around the Galapagos Islands and off the coast of Peru. They inhabit sandy bottoms at depths of roughly 250 feet.
One of their most distinctive features is their bright red lips. The interesting thing about this trait is that we are not certain about why they are so bright. However, some theories suggest that it helps with species recognition among the fish, making it easier for them to find mates. Another identifying feature is a structure similar to the lure found in anglerfish. Red-lipped batfish have a structure on their heads called an illicium. This is a fin spine that acts as a lure, helping to attract prey such as small fish, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks. They often wait patiently on the sea floor for prey to swim up to them.
As seen in the video above, these fish are famous for walking along the ocean floor rather than swimming, and there are a few reasons for this. One reason is that their bodies are simply built for it. Red-lipped batfish grow to about 8 inches long and have robust fins that are designed more for support than for propelling them through the water. Their lifestyle on the ocean floor is slower, which helps them conserve energy. By walking across the sea floor instead of swimming, they are better adapted to their sparse environment. While they are able to swim, it is difficult for them to do so. Their bodies are relatively flat, and their tails are weaker than those of other fish. Because of this, they can only swim for short periods, typically when avoiding predators.
