The Verge Review of Animals: the red-lipped batfish

If I were purely going on aesthetics, the red-lipped batfish it would probably score very well. I appreciate its commitment to its overall look, its natural scowl, its penis-shaped horn, and its clumsy little body. But I also feel like I need to deduct points for the same things I love most. The red-lipped batfish is glamorous, but not beautiful, and it seems like poor anatomic planning to make a fish that can’t really swim. You know what I really like about the red-lipped batfish? Its commitment to mystery. I now know more about the red-lipped batfish than I ever have before, and yet, I remain as baffled as ever by its existence. Maybe that’s how it should be.