Photo by Mika d’Eau
Platax teira, P. orbicularis, P. pinnatus, P. batavianus, P. boersii
There are currently five known species generally accepted to belong to the genus Platax, the latin name for the batfish. Members of the genus Platax are generally similar in shape to the other species in the family. Adults are rather disc-shaped fish, with laterally compressed bodies and large dorsal and anal fins that give individuals a somewhat triangular profile. This fish is usually silver, grey or brownish.They will change colour from silvery white with no bands, to brown with darker banding as you watch, and then fade back to silver again
The most common Batfish on our reefs is Platax teira, easy to recognize with the dark blotch under the pectoral fins and can reach lengths of around 60 centimetres (24 in).
Batfish are known for their inquisitive nature. They often approach divers closely and may follow them around the dive site for the entire dive. This curiosity makes them a favorite among divers.They are a very peaceful and social fish and will form schools with others of their species, often found in large numbers around reefs. This schooling behavior helps them stay safe from predators. Their sociable nature is evident in their tendency to allow other fish species to join their groups, showcasing their friendly disposition.
These fish are known for their intelligence, with research revealing their ability to recognize individual humans.
The Platax teira is an omnivore. It will eat plankton, sessile invertebrates, small invertebrates, and marine algae.
Despite adults often being found living in deeper environments, juveniles often inhabit very shallow waters, spending the majority of their time close to the surface. Adults are found near reefs until depth of 50 m (160 ft) in most of the Maldives and the rest of the Indo-Pacific, usually on the side of the reefs where the current comes from.
Despite extensive studies, their breeding habits and lifespan are still not well understood. It is believed that they breed in open water, where they release eggs and sperm into the water column, leading to external fertilization. The fertilized eggs develop into planktonic larvae before settling down and growing into juveniles, which quickly develop the distinctive juvenile arch shape when just a few centimeters long.. During their juvenile stage, batfish are cryptic experts, developing a morphology which closely mimics floating leaves. Juveniles are commonly seen perfoming a drifting swimming behaviour amongst leaves scattered on the surface, around marine debris or near mooring lines.
Photo by Mika d’Eau
