Orbicular Batfish (Platax orbicularis) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving

Orbicular Batfish

The Orbicular Batfish (Platax orbicularis) is a flat-sided fish that swims slowly around reefs. It's mainly grey, with vertical black and white stripes at its head, and yellow pectoral fins. P.orbicularis has a slightly pointed/pointy snout/nose, compared to P.teira. There are five species in the genus, and they are very similar in appearance. Also, juvenile Batfish differ greatly from the adults, making identification even more difficult.

Orbicular Batfish at Similan Islands, Thailand
An Orbicular Batfish swimming
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Orbicular Batfish
Juvenile Orbicular Batfish
Credit: Isabelle van Meir
Orbicular Batfish
Juvenile Orbicular Batfish
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Orbicular Batfish
Orbicular Spadefish
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Orbicular Batfish Platax orbicularis
Scientific Rank
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata (Chordates)
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes (Perch-Like Fish)
Family: Ephippidae (Ephippidae)
Genus: Platax (Platax)
Species: Platax orbicularis
Size
Average Size: 40 centimetres

No Troubles Just Bubbles' divers who recently saw Orbicular Batfish

Toennies
Spotted in: Thailand Thailand
Diving from boat: Camic
Trip destinations: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Boonsung Wreck, 813 Wreck
When: Apr 2023
Michelle
Spotted in: Thailand Thailand
Diving from boat: Manta Queen 7
Trip destinations: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Boonsung Wreck
When: Apr 2023
Cailyn
Spotted in: Thailand Thailand
Diving from boat: The Junk
Trip destinations: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Boonsung Wreck
When: Nov 2022
Dani N
Spotted in: Thailand Thailand
Diving from boat: Merdeka 3
Trip destinations: Racha Yai, Racha Noi, Koh Phi Phi
When: Sep 2022

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