Tripod fish have extremely elongated pelvic fins, which they perch on in wait of prey. The pectoral fins also greatly elongated, sometimes as long as the fish, curve forwards creating a shield around the fishes head. It is thought these feelers are used for sensing prey, the prey are then engulfed by the tripod fishes large mouth and eaten. Their small eyes are thought to be of little or no use in capturing food.

It is known they live in around 1km in depth but it is thought there may be populations living deeper than 3km.

Feeds on small crustaceans and squids.

At least three different species of tripod fish live in New Zealand waters.

Deep New Zealand: Batson P
Paulin, C., A. Stewart, C. Roberts and P. McMillan, 1989. New Zealand fish: a complete guide. National Museum of New Zealand Miscellaneous Series No. 19. 279 p. Paxton, J.R. 2010. Bathypterois oddi. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. . Downloaded on 07 February 2014.