The esca of O. porrectus is not thought to visually attract prey, but there is evidence that O. cubifrons excretes a chemical attractant from the esca to lure prey.Nagareda, B.H. and J.M. Shenker. 2008. Dietary analysis of batfishes (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico Science 1: 28-35. Batfish species mainly consume small benthic invertebrates. Hubbs (1958) denoted small molluscs, snails and crabs, as the main diet of O. darwini.
