Batfish

Platax orbicularis

The orbicular batfish, known by many names including the round, circular, orbiculate or orbic batfish, is a ray-finned fish in the family Ephippidae, which covers the spadefishes and batfishes. Native to the Indo-Pacific, it has also been recorded beyond that range in the western Atlantic.

Family

Ephippidae

Avg Size

40-50 cm

Habitat

Its native range runs across the Indo-Pacific, from eastern Africa (South Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarenes and Seychelles) north into the Red Sea, east through the Persian Gulf and on into Micronesia as far as the Tuamotu Archipelago, north to southern Japan and south to northern Australia. In Australian waters it occurs at Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and along the mainland from Shark Bay around the northern coast and down the east coast almost to Sydney.

Behaviour

Adults may be seen singly, in small schools or, now and then, in large aggregations, while juveniles stay solitary or in small groups. They release pelagic eggs, with females maturing at around 32 cm, and are omnivorous, feeding on algae, small fish and invertebrates.

Where & When to See It

Sha'ab Sharm

Batfish

Where & When to See It

More Fish