[Ebook] Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish – Directory of Marine Fish – Batfish

Directory of Marine Fish

Batfish

These unusually deep-bodied fish need an aquarium at least 24 in (60 cm) deep and wide. Young batfish are far more colorful than adults, and, once established in their quarters, they grow fast. Despite their size, they are not aggressive toward unrelated fish, but they should be kept apart from species that might nip their elaborate fins. Large batfish can prove very destructive in a reef aquarium.

Humpback Batfish (Platax batavianus)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the vicinity of southern Japan down through Indonesia to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
• SIZE: 26 in (65 cm).
• DIET: Fresh or thawed meat-based foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Intolerant.

Although the Humpback is less commonly available than other batfish, its care does not pose any particular problems. It may be necessary to feed these fish on live brine shrimp at first, until they adapt to a more varied diet, so be sure to have sufficient cultures set up for this purpose. Their mouths are small for their size, and this should be reflected in the type of food offered.

Orbicularis Batfish (Platax orbicularis)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from the Red Sea to the eastern Pacific, as far as Papua New Guinea.
• SIZE: 20 in (51 cm).
• DIET: Thawed marine foods, such as lobster eggs.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Best kept apart from other batfish.

The dorsal, anal, and ventral fins of Orbicularis Batfish become shorter as they grow older. As juveniles, these fish inhabit mangrove swamps, where their unusual elongated appearance, complete with brown barring on the body, helps to disguise their presence among the mangrove roots. As they grow older, they move to a reef habitat. They become more grayish in appearance and change significantly in shape to a more disklike outline. Good water quality is important to ensure healthy fins in these fish.

Pinnate Batfish (Platax pinnatus)

• ORIGINS: Ranges from East Africa and the Red Sea to the central area of the Indo-Pacific region.
• SIZE: 16 in (41 cm).
• DIET: Live brine shrimp; thawed marine foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Safe with nonaggressive, larger fish.

Pinnate Batfish are harder to establish in the aquarium than others, which is unfortunate in view of their spectacular appearance. It is difficult to wean them onto a varied diet of inert foods. Keeping them on their own should help, and they may eventually become tame enough to take food from the fingers. The red edging around their bodies disappears with age.

Tiera Batfis (Platax teira)

• ORIGINS: From the Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific, and beyond Indonesia to the east coast of Australia.
• SIZE: 25 in (63 cm).
• DIET: Varied marine foods.
• WATER: Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.021–1.024.
• TEMPERAMENT: Do not keep with invertebrates

The Tiera Batfish has a distinctive rounded face. Like other batfish, it relies on its appearance for camouflage when it is young, looking much like a mangrove leaf drifting in the water. It “plays dead” and floats on its side if danger threatens and will often behave in this fashion after being transferred to new aquarium surroundings. This is a normal reaction, and should not be taken as a cause for concern.