Definition

Noun: 1. A type of bottom-dwelling marine fish: A batfish is a fish found in warm coastal waters, characterized by a flattened, often scaleless body. It moves along the sea floor using its modified, leg-like pectoral and pelvic fins, giving it a walking or crawling appearance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We saw a strange batfish crawling on the sandy bottom during our dive.
  • The batfish uses its fleshy fins to walk rather than swim.
  • Several species of batfish inhabit the western Atlantic.

Advanced Usage

• The term "batfish" can refer to fish in different families (such as Ogcocephalidae or Ephippidae) that share a similar broad, flattened body shape, though their biology may differ. The defining characteristic in common usage is this distinctive physique and bottom-walking locomotion.

Variants and Related Words

• Batfishes (n): The standard plural form.
• Anglerfish (n): A related type of bottom-dwelling fish that uses a lure, some of which are also called batfish.
• Sea bat (n): An informal, less common name for a batfish.

Synonyms

• Bottom-dweller (n): A general term for organisms living on the sea floor.
• Walking fish (n): A descriptive term for fish that use fins to "walk."

Related Phrases

• To walk on the seafloor: A descriptive phrase for the batfish's unique method of movement.
  • The batfish is a master of walking on the seafloor.

Noun

1. bottom-dweller of warm western Atlantic coastal waters having a flattened scaleless body that crawls about on fleshy pectoral and pelvic fins