Roundface Batfish, Platax teira Forsskål, 1775

Scientific name: Platax teira
Alternative name/s:
Longfin Batfish, Round-faced Batfish, Spotbelly Batfish, Tail-fin Batfish, Tiera Batfish
Roundface Batfish, Platax teira Click to enlarge image
Two juvenile Roundface Batfish in Chowder Bay, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, 14 April 2011. Image: Richard Vevers
© Richard Vevers

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Platax
    Species
    teira
    Family
    Ephippidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 60 cm in length.

The Roundface Batfish can be recognised by the dark blotch below the pectoral fin, and a second elongated dark mark above the origin of the anal fin. The species occurs though much of the tropical Indo-West Pacific.

Identification

The Roundface Batfish can be recognised by the dark blotch below the pectoral fin, and a second elongated dark mark above the origin of the anal fin. Viewed from the side, the body is roughly circular with a low hump on the nape. It is silver, grey or brownish with a dark band through the eye and another level with the pectoral fin. Juveniles have very long dorsal and anal fins that become relatively shorter as the fish grows. Four species of batfishes (genus Platax) are recorded from Australian waters.

IB.8302 - Platax teira

Roundface Batfish, Platax tiera, skeleton on display.

Image: Mark McGrouther
© Australian Museum

Habitat

The species occurs in shallow coastal habitats to deeper offshore.

Distribution

The species occurs though much of the tropical Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is found from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.

References

  1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 507.