Batfish

ID points

• Almost circular body, extremely flattened
• In juveniles the dorsal and anal fins are drawn out very tall, like sails
• One black band through the eye, another behind the pectoral fin

Basics

Family

Ephippidae

Length

30–60 cm

Depth

1-40 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Tropical coral reefs and coastal waters

Habitat

Coral reefs, wrecks and coastal water

Diet

Zooplankton, algae

Easily confused with

ArcherfishFour to six wedge-shaped black bars on silvery white flanksBannerfishThe fourth dorsal spine drawn out into a very long white bannerAngelfishExtremely flattened, triangular body

Fun fact

A juvenile batfish is dark brown with hugely extended fins, and it floats on its side at the surface pretending to be a dead leaf to fool predators. As an adult the fins shorten, the body turns silvery white with black bars, and the broad disc-shaped fish often swims right up to divers out of curiosity.