Platax orbicularis

(Forsskal, 1775)

Orbiculate Batfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamotu Islands, north to Southern Japan, and south to northern Australia and New Caledonia.

Size: 24 inches (60 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal lagoons with juveniles found in mangrove/brackish waters and often found at depths between 15 – 100 feet (5 – 30 m) where it feeds on zooplankton, small fishes, jellyfish, worms, and other small invertebrate.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade. Best maintained in a large fish-only aquarium with wide-open swimming areas and with peaceful, i.e., tankmates that are not fin nippers, as this is a slow moving species. Slow smaller fishes are at risk of being eaten.

As to diet, requires a meaty diet and will accept all kinds of meaty food stuffs whether its flake foods, frozen or freeze-dried, or freshly chopped fish and shrimp flesh, and should be fed two or three times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Acanthuroidei

Family: Ephippidae

Genus: Platax

FYI: A small four-inch tall specimen can out grow a 75 gallon aquarium in one year!

Fond of earthworms.

Purchase the smallest individuals possible as they will give you the best chance at long-term survival.

Since it consumes large amounts of food, it's a major waste producer, therefore additional filtration is highly recommended.

Better suited for the large fish-only public aquariums.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: No

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 250 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5