Scientific Name
Platax orbicularis

Common Name
Orbicular batfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 34-39; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 25 - 29. The ocular band of adult specimens with a series of dark vermiculations (Ref. 1602). Adults (above 20 cm) yellowish silvery or dusky, dark bar through eye and another bar just behind head. Occasionally with a few small, scattered black spots on body. Median fins yellowish, with black margins posteriorly. Pelvic fins black. Small juveniles reddish brown, with irregular black spots and blotches and small, white (black-edged) ocelli on body. Small black spot at base of last 3 dorsal- and anal-fin rays. Caudal fin transparent except for base, which is reddish brown. Body orbicular and strongly compressed, its depth more than twice length of head and 0.9 to 1.4 times SL. Head length 3.4 to 3.8 times SL. Snout profile of large adults (above 40 cm total length) concave, with bony swelling between eyes. Interorbital width 38 to 48% head length. Jaws with bands

Classification

Classified By

Forssk?l, 1775

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Spadefishes, batfishes and scats (Ephippidae)

Distribution

Region

Indo-Pacific

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Recorded off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic (Ref. 51238).

Range

32°N - 23°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

22 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; brackish; reef-associated; depth range 5 - 30 m (Ref. 30874)

Trophic Level

3.33 s.e. 0.49 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

50.0 cm

Common Length

60.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5313 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (35 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated