Pinnatus batfish
Platax pinnatus
Also known as Pinnate batfish, Dusky batfish, Red-finned batfish, Shaded batfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.0–8.4
- Adult size
- 17.7 in
- 45 cm
- Minimum tank
- 198 gal
- 750 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Not reef safe
- Family
- Ephippidae
- Origin
- Native to the western Pacific, with juveniles hiding in caves and on reef slopes and adults ranging over deeper reef.
Overview
The Pinnatus batfish is a tall, mostly peaceful batfish for a very large saltwater tank. Only experienced keepers should attempt it.
Did you know
The Pinnatus batfish's black juvenile, with its glowing orange trim, is thought to mimic a toxic flatworm. It borrows the flatworm's warning colors to keep predators from biting.
Caring for the Pinnatus batfish
Keep the Pinnatus batfish only in a large, mature tank of at least 198 gal (750 L), with tall open water. Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.0 to 8.4.
It is considered the hardest batfish to keep alive, because juveniles are specialized feeders that often refuse aquarium food. Fresh juveniles frequently starve. The juvenile stage is what people buy, and it is where nearly all the difficulty lies.
Buy one only after seeing it eat. Research suggests young Pinnatus batfish naturally eat a lot of small invertebrates and even sponge material. Offer frequent small meals of enriched mysis, chopped seafood and grazing foods.
The Pinnatus batfish is not reef safe and will nip corals and eat small invertebrates. Keep it with calm tank mates, as it is easily bullied while it settles.
Good to know
Platax pinnatus is a batfish in the family Ephippidae. It is famous for its jet-black juvenile form, outlined in a brilliant orange border. That color fades within months as it matures, and the adult becomes a tall silvery-gray disc like other batfish. It is also sold as the pinnate, dusky, red-finned or shaded batfish.
In the wild
The Pinnatus batfish is native to the western Pacific. Juveniles hide in caves and on reef slopes, while adults range over deeper reef.
Common questions
What size tank does a Pinnatus batfish need?
A Pinnatus batfish needs at least 198 gal (750 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Pinnatus batfish need?
A Pinnatus batfish is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.0–8.4.
What does a Pinnatus batfish eat?
A Pinnatus batfish needs frequent small meals of enriched mysis, chopped seafood and grazing foods. Young fish naturally eat a lot of small invertebrates and even sponge material.
How big does a Pinnatus batfish get?
An adult Pinnatus batfish reaches about 17.7 in (45 cm).
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