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Related FAQs: Batfishes

Related Articles: Spadefishes,

/Fishwatcher's Guide Series

 Spadefishes Found In Indonesia, Family, Ephippidae

 

Bob Fenner  


Platax batavianus Cuvier 1831, the Humpback (science) or Zebra Batfish. Indo-West Pacific; Madagascar to Indonesia. To twenty inches in height. Occasionally offered in the trade. Should you be fortunate to chance upon a specimen Platax batavianus it's a real striker as young, with alternating black and white banding covering it's entire body surface. Juvenile pix (three inches tall) in N. Sulawesi and six inch tall specimen Aquarium image.

Platax boersi Bleeker 1852, Boer's Batfish. Indonesia, New Guinea, Philippines. To sixteen inches in length. Some sub-adults in N. Sulawesi and an adult off of Mabul, Malaysia. 

Platax orbicularis  (Forsskal, 1775), the Orbiculated, or Round Batfish is the "ugly-duckling" of the genus as young, being very plain brown and the least tall as a juvenile. At right, aquarium specimens of a four inch tall juvenile, a ten inch high sub-adult, a  twelve inch high intermediate off of Queensland, Australia, and one about sixteen inches tall in N. Sulawesi.

Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus 11758), the Pinnatus, Red-Stripe or Shaded  or Dusky Batfish proves almost impossible to keep alive, generally refusing all food. This species is secretive in the wild, found hiding in wrecks and other dark spots, and should be left there. In my estimation, less than one hundredth of pinnatus bats live more than a month in captivity. I can hear it now; "Oh Bob, I know of a guy who kept a pinnatus for years, in low specific gravity, feeding it banana chips...". There are very few of these success stories, I'll warrant. the pinnatus, red-stripe or shaded batfish proves almost impossible to keep alive, generally refusing all food. This species is secretive in the wild, found hiding in wrecks and other dark spots, and should be left there. In my estimation, less than one hundredth of pinnatus bats live more than a month in captivity. I can hear it now; "Oh Bob, I know of a guy who kept a pinnatus for years, in low specific gravity, feeding it banana chips...". There are very few of these success stories, I'll warrant. Juvenile image on the FAQ's page. Below: a series of ages, sizes: Two juveniles in captivity (for a short time), sub-adult in captivity, and an older individual off of Queensland, Australia. 

Platax tiera (Forsskal 1775), the Tiera, Round-Faced or Tail-Fin Batfish, is a fabulously friendly animal, in aquariums and on the reef. In tourists diving areas they greet, follow and wave-off visiting humans. In captivity tiera bats imprint on their "outside" friends, always ready to wag them a hello. At right, aquarium specimens of a five inch tall juvenile and eight inch high semi-adult, and full size adult off Heron Island, Australia showing the characteristic black blotch behind the pelvic fins.




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