Orbicular batfish

This fish has a round, flat, disc-like shape. As a baby, it looks like a dead leaf drifting near mangrove roots. As it grows, it becomes one of the most easy-to-spot shapes on the reef.

Also known as: platax orbicularis, batfish, circular batfish, circular spadefish, circular spadefish batfish, copper batfish, dusky batfish, narrowbanded batfish, orbiculate batfish, round bat fish, round batfish, sicklefish, spadefish

Its round, disc-like shape is shared with a few other batfish and spadefish. Check the eye: this species has a black bar running straight through it, unlike the plainer faces of similar-looking reef fish.

This fish has a very deep, flat body, which gives it an almost round outline. Adults are silvery grey with black bars running straight down, crossing through the eye and the side fin. Some have a few small black spots on their sides. The top and bottom-back fins are yellowish with black edges. Young fish look completely different. They are reddish-brown, with uneven black spots and patches, and small white spots ringed in black, called ocelli.

This fish lives in shallow, sheltered coastal water across the Indo-Pacific. This includes mangroves, coral reefs, and deeper areas with soft, silty ground. It is usually found from about 5 to 30 m deep, in water between 22 and 28°C. Young fish hide among mangroves and in sheltered lagoons. They often drift among floating debris, where they look like dead leaves. Adults move out over sandy areas of lagoons, channels, and reefs facing the open sea.

Adults may be alone, in small groups, or sometimes in large gatherings. Young fish stay alone or in small groups. This fish eats almost anything, including algae, small fish, and small invertebrates.

harmless

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  Atlantic Spadefish

  Chaetodipterus faber

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  Dusky batfish

  Platax pinnatus

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  Golden Spadefish

  Platax boersii

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  Humphead Batfish

  Platax batavianus

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  Longfin Batfish

  Platax teira