Orbicular batfish

The orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis), also known as the circular batfish, orbiculate batfish, round batfish, or orbic batfish is a popular aquarium fish which occurs naturally in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Orbicular Batfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Ephippidae
Genus:
Platax
Species:
P. orbicularis
Binomial name
Platax orbicularis
(Forsskål, 1775)
Synonyms
  • Chaetodon orbicularis Forsskål, 1775
  • Chaetodon vespertilio Bloch, 1787
  • Platax vespertilio (Bloch, 1787)
  • Platax ehrenbergii G. Cuvier, 1831
  • Platax blochii G. Cuvier, 1831
  • Platax guttulatus G. Cuvier, 1831

Description

The body of Platax orbicularis is almost disc-shaped, and very thin. Its tail, about 20% of the body length, is fan-shaped and is taller than it is long. Males can grow to up to 50 cm (20 in) in length, though aquarium specimens are generally much shorter.

Distribution

In the wild, the orbicular batfish is found in brackish or marine waters, usually around reefs, at depths from 5 to 30 meters. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa in the east to the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia in the west, and from southern Japan in the north to northern Australia and New Caledonia. It has been recorded off the coast of Florida, though this may be the result of dumping of aquarium specimens.

Juvenile fish are solitary or live in small groups, among mangroves or other inner sheltered lagoons. Adults are found in more open waters and at greater depth.

References
  1. Carpenter, K.E. & Robertson, R. 2019. Platax orbicularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T190152A53937753. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T190152A53937753.en. Downloaded on 21 December 2020.


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