9 photos - 3 species
Introduction
There are 2 genera and four species.
Batfish are omnivores.
They eat both algae and small invertebrates, and they also like to peck at jellyfish.
The dark-coloured vertical bands above the eyes and lateral fins are characteristic.
They are often found on reef overhangs or shipwrecks.
Depending on the species, they can reach a size of between 30 and 45 cm.
Platax orbicularis
Orbicular batfish, Cooper batfish, Circular batfish, Orbiculate batfish, Round batfish, Narrow-banded batfish or Orbic batfish
Maximum length: 57 cm
Depth: 5 - 35 metres
Adults swim in pairs or in groups near reefs.
Juveniles near the coast, in mangroves or in brackish water,
imitating floating leaves lying on their side.
Curved head profile and yellowish pectoral fin.
Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Embudu Maldives
Platax pinnatus
Longfin batfish, Pinnate spadefish, Pinnate batfish, Pinnatus batfish, Dusky batfish, Shaded batfish or Red-faced batfish
Maximum length: 35 cm
Depth: 2 - 50 metres
Juvelins are often found under jetties, but also in deep water in caves.
Adults are usually found singly or in pairs on shallow coasts - up to deep outer reefs or in wrecks.
Photos 1 - 3 Bangka Island North Sulawesi
Photos 4 - 5 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi
Platax teira
Teira batfish, Longfin batfish, Longfin spadefish or
Round faced batfish
Maximum length: 60 cm
Depth: 1 - 35 metres
Best distinguished from the roundhead batfish by their yellow pelvic fins and a black spot on the belly.
Photo 1 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi
Photo 2 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt