Teira Batfish (Platax teira) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving

Teira Batfish

The Teira Batfish (Platax teira) is a flat-sided fish that swims slowly around reefs, sometimes alone and often in shoals of 10-20 individuals. It's mainly grey, with vertical black and white stripes at its head, and yellow pectoral fins. P.teira has a slightly flat or blunt snout, compared to P.orbicularis. 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.

Teira Batfish
Teira Batfish
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Teira Batfish
Teira Batfish at Boonsung Wreck, Thailand
Credit: Alexander Kiermayer
Teira Batfish
A shoal of Teira Batfish during a sunset dive
Credit: Johan Folmeus
Teira Batfish Platax teira
Scientific Rank
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata (Chordates)
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes (Perch-Like Fish)
Family: Ephippidae (Ephippidae)
Genus: Platax (Platax)
Species: Platax teira
Size
Average Size: 40 centimetres

No Troubles Just Bubbles' divers who recently saw Teira Batfish

Stéphanie
Spotted in: Maldives Maldives
Diving from boat: MV Emperor Serenity
Trip destinations: North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, Vaavu Atoll
When: Dec 2022

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