Illustration of batfish
batfish
noun
bat·fish
ˈbat-ˌfish 
: any of several fishes with winglike processes
especially
: any of a family (Ogcocephalidae of the order Lophiiformes) of flattened pediculate bony fishes
Examples of batfish in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As carnivores, red-lipped batfish feed on small fish, crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs, worms and mollusks, employing a sit-and-wait ambush strategy that relies on camouflage and the element of surprise.
—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Anglerfish ancestors lived on the seafloor and maneuvered around using specialized stout fins, much like their close relatives the batfishes and frogfishes.
—
Danielle Hall,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Dec. 2024
Although the red-lipped batfish appears to have legs, its limb-like appendages are actually fins, which the creature uses to stand on and to check out its surroundings.
—
Courtney Linder,
Popular Mechanics,
17 Aug. 2022
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—
Brittany Nader,
cleveland.com,
15 May 2018
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Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Anglerfish ancestors lived on the seafloor and maneuvered around using specialized stout fins, much like their close relatives the batfishes and frogfishes.
—
Danielle Hall,
Smithsonian Magazine,
24 Dec. 2024
Although the red-lipped batfish appears to have legs, its limb-like appendages are actually fins, which the creature uses to stand on and to check out its surroundings.
—
Courtney Linder,
Popular Mechanics,
17 Aug. 2022
The exhibit includes more than 20 different species, including the panther chameleon, naked mole rat, walking batfish, giant Pacific octopus and more.
—
Brittany Nader,
cleveland.com,
15 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Batfish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batfish. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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