All fish / Ephippidae

Pinnatus Batfish

Platax pinnatus

Also known as red-faced batfish, dusky batfish, pinnate batfish, pinnatus bat, shaded batfish, red-finned batfish, pinnate spadefish, ปลาค้างคาว, ikan kelawar, アカククリ, ikan kelelawar, platax

Juveniles are jet black with a bright orange outline and very tall fins, said to mimic toxic flatworms, which makes them one of the most striking fish in the hobby. Adults lose the orange edge, turn silvery grey with dark bars and become tall, disc-shaped fish. People keep them for the dramatic juvenile look and their calm, inquisitive nature.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

1000 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a pair in a very large system

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, sponge-based foods; juveniles often need live brine shrimp or live foods to start feeding

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, northern Australia to Ryukyu Islands

Breeding

It is a pelagic spawner that releases eggs into open water, and it has not been bred reliably in home aquariums. Almost all specimens are wild collected.

Good to know

Juveniles are notoriously poor feeders and prone to bacterial infections, so they suit experienced keepers with very large, deep tanks. Avoid fin-nippers and aggressive tankmates; do not confuse with the hardier Platax teira or P. orbicularis.