Batfish are a favorite of scuba divers, as these fish are highly inquisitive in nature and will often come right up to the face of a diver to investigate and sometimes follow a group of divers for the entire length of their dive curiously circling. These fish are known to be a diver’s favorite safety stop companion as they will often hang around mid-water, just below the surface staring at divers.

Batfish are also known as Spadefish or scientifically as Ephippidae. Since there are two other kinds of fish also referred to as Batfish, the type we looking at today is the large round, laterally compressed  silvery fish  with a small mouth, often with black and sometimes yellow markings.

Ephippidae or Batfish lives primarily in the Atlantic, Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. Most of the species are marine dwelling but some batfishes can be found in brackish environments as well. Known to consume seaweed that other herbivore fish refuse to eat, batfish are an integral part of the coral reef ecosystem. Some species of Batfish, more specifically the Zebra Batfish can often grow up to two and a half feet in length.

There are over 20 different species of Batfish, however some of the more common ones are listed below:

Tall-fin Batfish (Platax teira)
One of the most commonly seen Batfish by divers, they can be easily identified by its steep head which is rounded and the large black patch/spot on its belly by the ventral fin. Tall-fin grow to 70cms (2.3 feet)  and are more boomerang shape when younger and become large and rounded as they reach maturity.

jeuvenille tall-fin Batfish

Round Batfish (Platax obicularis)
Also known as the circular spadefish, Round Batfish are large round fish with two vertical black bars on their heads and their Fins edges fading into a golden-yellow color. This variety can grow up to 60 cm. (2ft) in length. Juveniles with their brownish dead leaf coloring, mimic dead leaves floating in the current until they are grown up.

Juvenile Round Batfish

Shaded Batfish (Platax pinnatus)
Found mostly in the Western Pacific, The shaded batfish is a mysterious solitary fish that is often found hiding in shipwrecks or dark spots and rarely seen in groups. Unlike their bolder inquisitive cousins, Shaded Batfish are shy and more likely to swim away from divers. They can be identified by their distinctive protruding snout and prominent lips. Juveniles are easy to identify and are stunning in all black with a perfect orange ring around the edge of their fins.

photos from flickr by dandandanRyan, dachalan, jon hanson