We all cognise the sea is full of a whole host of weird - looking creature , fromflying buttocksandsea pigsto the plethora ofstrange speciesliving in vent deeply in the ocean . Now , we ’re take a stuffy look at another ocean oddness – fourth dimension to pucker up for the red - lipped batfish ( Ogcocephalus darwini ) .
While the red - lipped batfish is related to60or so otherbatfishspecies , this one is specially unique . obtain only in the waters of theGalápagos Islands , red - lipped batfish wear their permanently fussy expressions on those bright violent lips of theirs while they run through other smaller fish and crustaceans .
Nobody lie with the reason why the red - lipped batfish has red lips , though some believe that it aids in the batfish being able to make out species of the same type in the sullen world at the bottom of the sea , helping toattract mates .
However , we do know how they go about getting a hold of target . They are a member of the fish orderLophiiformes , which are more commonly know as anglerfish . Like other members of this radical , the batfish has a particular appendage on top of its head call an illicium , which has another structure at its top telephone an esca ; this can emit Light Within or eliminate aliquidthat can lure in quarry .
As for the rest of its body , the red - lipped batfish can grow to between25 to 40 centimeters(9.8 to 15.7 inches ) and is found around 3 to 76 measure ( 9.8 to 249.3 feet ) down under the surface of the waves – or even deeper , at around 120 meters ( 393.7 feet ) , at the edge of reefs .
Living on the bottom of the sea , the batfish does n’t really float but instead “ walks ” using modify quintet along the guts . However , the batfish can swim if it prefer , using its tail to power it more speedily through the water supply .
Red - lipped batfish are also see a species of Least Concern by theIUCNand have no known specific threat , although theGalapagos Conservation Trustsays that " rising sea temperatures and coral bleaching could present a menace , as it will alter their lifelike home ground and may cause a decline in the availability of their rude food source . "
And to end on a fun fact : the 2nd part of the red - lipped batfish ’s scientific name isdarwini , inhonorof Charles Darwin . Darwinexplored the Galápagos Islands aboard HMSBeagle , eventually writingOn the Origin of Speciesand realise his possibility of evolution .
