[citation needed] Most of the time, the tripodfish stands on its three fins on the bottom of the ocean, hunting for food.

Scientists have suggested that fluids are pumped into these fins when the fish is 'standing' to make them more rigid.

[4] Bathypterois grallator has been found relatively widely in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans from 40°N to 40°S.

The tripodfish's mouth ends up at just the right height to catch shrimp, tiny fish, and small crustaceans swimming by.

Once they feel prey and realize it is edible, the fins knock the food into the fish's mouth.

The tripodfish is closely related to the spider fish Bathypterois longifilis, which is similar in appearances and habits but is smaller and has much shorter fin extensions.