HomeFish encyclopediaRay-finned fishesPerch-like fishSpadefishes, batfishes and scatsGolden spadefish Golden spadefish (Platax boersii) Scientific name: Platax boersii Bleeker, 1852 The Golden spadefish (Platax boersii) is a marine fish of the family Ephippidae. Native range: Indo-West Pacific, Indonesia (including Mentawai Islands), New Guinea, and Philippines. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31-34; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 24 - 28. Juveniles have extremely elongate vertical fins and closely resemble juvenile P. teira, but tend to be lighter with a silvery hue. Adults have smoothly rounded head profile like P. orbicularis, but usually have golden hue and lack small black spots. Adults (above 18 cm) yellowish silvery, usually with small, scattered black spots on body, dark bar through eye, and another bar just behind head. Median fins yellowish green. Anal-fin margin and rear margin of caudal fin black. Pelvic fins black. Small juveniles yellowish brown or silvery, with 2 black bars as in adults. Rear third of body blackish, the black colour continued onto dorsal and anal fins, and the front of the black zone on body often closely precede by a narrow faint dark bar. Caudal fin transparent except for black base. Jaws with bands of slender, flattened, tricuspid teeth, theSource: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific namePlatax boersiiFamilyEphippidae (Spadefishes, batfishes and scats)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length40.0Depth range1–50 m (3–164 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 50 mClimateTropicalDistributionIndo-West Pacific: Indonesia (including Mentawai Islands), New Guinea, and Philippines.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026