What Divers Should Know About Batfish

When divers talk about 'batfish,' it's crucial to understand we're often referring to a diverse collection of marine life rather than a single species. This common name applies to quite a few different animals, and what you might encounter depends entirely on your dive location.

In the East Pacific, for instance, you might spot the California batfish, which is actually a type of eagle ray. Travel to the Indian or Pacific Oceans, and you're more likely to see members of the Platax genus, commonly known as spadefish. Then there are the unique Red-lipped batfish, famously found in the Galapagos. Additionally, a family of anglerfish, Ogcocephalidae, also carries the 'batfish' moniker and is found in oceans worldwide.