Longfin Batfish, Platax pinnatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Scientific name: Platax pinnatus
Alternative name/s:
Batfish, Butterfly-fish, Leaf-fish, Pinnate Batfish, Shaded Batfish, Sunfish, Turbot
Longfin Batfish, <i>Platax pinnatus</i> Click to enlarge image
A Longfin Batfish at a depth of 6m, Century Bay, Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, February 2005. Image: Ákos Lumnitzer
© Ákos Lumnitzer

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Platax
    Species
    pinnatus
    Family
    Ephippidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 35 cm in length.

Introduction

The Longfin Batfish is silver-grey to brown with a dark bar through the eye and another through the pectoral fins. The dorsal and anal fins are greatly elongated.

Identification

The Longfin Batfish is silver-grey to brown with a dark bar through the eye and another through the pectoral fins. It has a protruding snout. Juveniles are black. The body and median fins are outlined in orange. The dorsal and anal fins are greatly elongated.

Habitat

The species occurs in inshore and coral reef waters.

Distribution

The Longfin Batfish occurs throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific. In Australia it is known from off central Western Australia, around the north of the country and south to the central 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. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Feeding and diet

With reference to batfishes in general, Randal et al. 1997 states, "Their diet consists largely of benthic invertebrates and zooplankton".

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. 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.
  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. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.