Longfin Batfish, Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus 1758)


Other Names: Batfish, Butterfly-fish, Dusky Batfish, Leaf-fish, Long-finned Batfish, Pinnate Batfish, Pinnate Spadefish, Red Faced Batfish, Red-Faced Batfish, Shaded Batfish, Sunfish, Turbot

A Longfin Batfish, Platax pinnatus, at Sabah, Malaysia. Source: Bernard Dupont / Flickr: EOL Images. License: CC BY Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike

Summary:
Adult Longfin Batfish are silvery with a dusky or dark bar through the eye, another through the pectoral-fin base, and yellow dorsal, anal and caudal fins. Unlike juveniles, the adults have short dorsal and anal fins. The stunning juveniles are dark brownish to black with a brilliant orange to crimson margin surrounding the body and their elongate fins. They mimic a toxic flatworm in shape, colour and movement. 
Fabulous closeup footage of a tiny juvenile Longfin Batfish (aka Pinnate Spadefish).
Juvenile Longfin Batfish at Cebu Mactan, Philippines
Video of a juvenile Longfin Batfish (aka Red faced batfish)

Cite this page as:
Dianne J. Bray, Platax pinnatus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2209

Quick Facts


CAAB Code:37362006

Behaviour:Juveniles mimic a toxic flatworm

Depth:15-30 m

Fishing:Aquarium fish

Habitat:Reef associated

Max Size:45 cm TL

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Species Maps

CAAB distribution map