Dusky batfish (Platax pinnatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Pinnate batfish, Longfin batfish, Pinnate spadefish, Shaded batfish, Red-faced batfish
Family
Ephippidae (spadefishes and batfishes)
Origin
Western Pacific, from the Ryukyus south to Australia; adults on steep outer reef slopes below 20 m, juveniles in mangroves and sheltered inner reefs.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
45 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.020–1.025
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
no

Care

Tank: This fish outgrows home aquaria and is only suitable for public-aquarium-sized systems; no home tank size is given. Its very tall fins and open-water swimming need a deep, spacious system. Water: the sources give no species-specific figures, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.020–1.025. Keep nitrate low and the water well oxygenated. Behaviour: adults are usually solitary but gather in schools to cross open ground. Juveniles copy the colour and shape of a poisonous flatworm. Identification: juveniles are black, edged all round in bright orange. Adults are silvery with dark bars. Trade and status: kept in aquaria but considered difficult. IUCN: Least Concern. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plataxpinnatus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

In the wild eats algae, jellyfish and other soft-bodied plankton. Captive fish are often reluctant feeders; offer a variety of small meaty foods and marine algae.

Breeding

Not described in the sources.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not reef safe. Peaceful but easily stressed and bullied; keep with calm fish and never with fin-nippers.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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