Walking Batfish...or Alien?

[ryangrieder]

so i got a walking batfish because he looked interesting. i tried to do some research and it only tells me how to keep them healthy, nothing general about it. i noticed alot of weird things about him. he is about 5-6 inches long. underneath his weird face he has this polyp looking antenna that comes out of his face and goes in and out like pulsing xenia. when he is calm and just sitting on the bottom of the tank he does it. what in the world is that? he is not a filter feeder is he? also he is "suppost" to sit on the ground all day but every now and then he darts up and floats down like a mandarin or scooter blenny when they try to swim. what is he going this for? also is his gills by his butt? he has two circle openings that open and close randomly half way down the back of his body? i gatta admit he is real cool looking and i get so many reactions from my friends. from the guys its always "COOOOL WHATS THAT!" and from the girls "eww that has to be the most discusting thing i have ever seen, i thought salt water fish are suppost to be pretty?" haha all i know its neato!:splitspin

but whats the scoop?

 

[anthony27]

picturesssss

 

[ryangrieder]

coming right up! give me a minute

 

[Awibrandy]

Click here: Longnose Batfish



















Interesting fish!LOL
You let yourself get bit by the IMPULSE bug.hahahaha

 

[cowfish]

Ryan - I am jealous. I've wanted one of those for a long time, but they are hardly ever in stores. Typically they are accidentally caught in nets and then sold to wholesalers. The opening and closing "holes" on the back of his "legs" are actually his gills. Did you Prazipro him? These fish are infamous for worms.

They prefer moderate to dim lighting; spook easily and ram into the glass. To avoid this you can cover the bottom 6 inches of the sides and back of the tank. WBs enjoy having a cave to hang out in and a lot of open space with a fine substrate (oolitic or "reef grade" sand). They like meaty foods (squid, clam, silversides, shelled table shrimp, etc.) and can be trained to take food from a feeding stick. Walking batfish should only be fed about 3 times per week when adults, more often if he is 4" or smaller. They are passive, but will eat whatever fits in their mouth (smaller fish, shrimp, etc.) They should not be put with corals (easily stung) or aggressive fish. The longnose walking batfish can live in a 75g tank for it's entire lifespan as long as it's properly cared for. Good luck!

 

[ryangrieder]

 

[KathyC]

How old is your tank and is there anything else in it?

http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/walking_batfish_in_the_aquarium

 

[CrashGibson]

The antenna is used as a "lure" to attracted his prey, that is why he stays very still while he is fishing.

 

[rookie07]

How does LA.com list it as reef safe?

 

[cowfish]

How does LA.com list it as reef safe?

They don't harm corals.

 

[ryangrieder]

its still in my quarintine tank.

 

[James983]

That is one unique looking fish. Good luck with it.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Awesome looking fish.... I presume delicate? Take good care of it and enjoy.

 

[ryangrieder]

he is doing alright so far. eating and not bothering anyone else. i just dont know which tank to put him in. aggressive or reef...decisions decisions....

 

[OctaviousMonk]

well seeing that it can't keep up with faster fish I would say the aggressive is out of the question, and seeing that they prefer dim lightig I would say the bright lights on a reef tank would be to much for it.

 

[cowfish]

Best chance of keeping it alive for longer than 6 months is to put it in a species tank - in other words the batfish and maybe a few small dither fish that you won't mind losing if they become lunch.

 

[ryangrieder]

haha. well i was almost thinking about putting him in my aggressive tank because as of right now the only thing left in there is a rhino, lion and angler. biggest fish is only 4 inches. the batfish would be the biggest. seeing the tank looks empty because all they do is sit there all day long i figured why not add a new couch potato! i am going to add an area with real fine sand just for him on one side with a cave just for him, hopefully he will enjoy!