BrackishSaltwater
Orbicular batfish
Platax orbicularis
Ephippidae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 60 cm
- Body shape
- Deep-bodied
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 4,545 liters
- Diet
- Missing
Know what is missing? Suggest it in the app.
Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, and 47 more countries.
Introduced to United States.
More about the species
Description
Live in shallow protected coastal waters to deep, somewhat silty habitats. Often with deep shipwrecks. Adults are found singly or in small groups and occasionally in large schools in some areas. Juveniles occur singly or in small groups among mangroves and inner sheltered lagoons while adults move out to open waters over sandy areas of deep lagoons, channels, and seaward reefs to a depth of at least 30 m. Feed on algae, invertebrates and small fishes.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Chaetodon orbicularis
- Chaetodon vespertilio
- Platax blochii
- Platax ehrenbergii
- Platax guttulatuas
- Platax guttulatus
In other languages
- Läderlappsfisk
- Almindelig flagermusfisk
- Lepakkokala
- Batfish, Circular batfish, Circular spadefish, Circular spadefish batfish, Cooper batfish, Copper batfish, Narrow-banded batfish, Narrowbanded batfish, Orbiculate batfish, Round bat fish, Round batfish, Sicklefish, Spadefish
Articles
All articles
Fin rot and columnaris4 min read
Bacteria that attack the fins, mouth and skin, nearly always after poor water. When water changes are enough, and when more is needed.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.
From freshwater to saltwater3 min read
What is different in a saltwater aquarium: salt, refractometer, live rock and corals. An introduction for anyone thinking of giving it a try.