Pinnatus Batfish (Platax pinnatus)
Fish in the family Ephippidae. Moderate care. Not Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
Pinnatus Batfish are disc-shaped with a laterally compressed body and bright red-orange coloration as juveniles, fading to darker red or brown with age. Adults develop a distinctive black vertical stripe through the eye and black markings on the dorsal and anal fins.
Diet and feeding
Feed a varied diet of high-quality flake foods, frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, and occasional vegetable matter. Feed 2-3 times daily for juveniles; reduce to once daily as they mature. They are somewhat picky feeders and may take time to acclimate to captive diets.
Difficulty and care for the Pinnatus Batfish
Expert - Requires standard marine aquarium maintenance and intermediate fish keeping skills.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Columnaris disease, Hole-in-the-head disease
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region from Indonesia to Fiji and the Philippines.
Log Pinnatus Batfish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Pinnatus Batfish alongside everything else in your reef.
