Species: Ogcocephalus pantostictus, Spotted Batfish

Ogcocephalus pantostictus Bradbury, 1980

Spotted Batfish

Head depressed; disc triangular; snout pointed, rostrum a short finger in large fish, a long cone in juveniles; fish-lure with 3 fleshy points, in a small cavity under horn; eyes on sides of head; mouth wide (width at least 59% of head depth); spine at lower rear corner of operculum blunt or little developed; gill rakers are oval plates covered with small teeth; gill openings small, behind upper base of pectoral fin; dorsal and anal fins small, at rear of body; pectoral and pelvic fins limb-like; pectorals completely separated from body, skin on underside of rays thick and spongy, forming pads near tips of rays, fin membrane thick and opaque, 12-13 rays; skin covered dorsal fin on tail, small fleshy anal fin (usually 4 rays) under tail; top of body with large bucklers as well as conical spines; underside of body completely covered with pointed, bony scales; underside of tail densely covered with small prickles, with sometimes a few conical spines along midline; 9 lateral line scales under operculum, 9 on cheek.

Entire upper surface of head, body, tail and pectoral and dorsal fins evenly covered in small dark spots.

Reaches 31 cm.

Habitat soft bottoms.

Depth range: 5-31 m.

The Gulf of Mexico.