This fish is one of the strangest creatures by its aspect (see these 2 links : link 1 and link 2) all the more so that besides its aspect it uses its pectoral and pelvic fins “to walk” on the seabed. Indeed, its pectoral and pelvic fins evolved to some sort of legs and, on the bottom, its strange pectoral fins recall of wings of bats and from that it takes its name. Therefore, instead of swimming, this fish walks on its pelvic and pectoral fins. But, to go faster, it raises from the bottom and wiggles somewhat listlessly its tail. Not easily identified under water because it knows how to camouflage itself as it's used to covering its body with sand, they remain motionless on the bottom and wait until a prey (small fish, shell, worm,…) comes within their range to attract it with its short rostrum. At its adult stage, it can be 35cm long.

     It belongs to a family of rather numerous species and that presented here is the Ogcocephalus cubifrons that inhabits in the American coastal waters of North Carolina to Florida. One finds it near wrecks or small reefs within a depth range of 5 to 35m, whereas many of its similar live in the deeper of the continental shelf. This species is easily recognizable thanks to its pattern of black spots on its pectorals and its clear belly from that it takes its English name of polka-dot batfish. It should not be confused with the short-nose batfish which resembles much to him: see the French link or this other link in French.