Dusky Batfish (Platax pinnatus)
| Dusky Batfish Platax pinnatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Dusky Batfish |
| Name Lat. | Platax pinnatus |
| Family | Batfishes |
| Family lat. | Ephippidae |
| Order | Surgeonfishes |
| Order lat. | Acanthuriformes |
| Origin | Western Pacific |
| Habitat | Seaward reefs |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Reef Compatible | With caution |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 40 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 1.700 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 16" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 450 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Platax pinnatus is the Western Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands (Japan) to Indonesia and Australia. They live there preferably under ledges or in caves of steeply sloping outer reefs. Adults often form large schools.
Maintenance
They need a high, well structured aquarium with a lot of swimming space and a reef structure (hiding, resting and retreat possibilities) with living stones, which they can graze on (sponges, algae, small crustaceans) and which act like a biological filter as well as free sand areas
Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand of various grain sizes may be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.
Diet
They are permanent feeders, feeding on zooplankton, small crustaceans and algae, as well as coral polyps (glass roses). The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a commercially available frozen food mix enriched with vitamins or a combination of algae (e.g. spirulina, kelp), chopped shrimp, crab and mussel meat with live and frozen food such as mysis, krill, bosmids and artemia as well as live cyclops, which also serve to keep them busy. High-quality granulated or flake food is also well accepted.
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day (3-5 times). Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
It is recommended to keep them in a group. In groups that are too small, intra-species aggression can occur. To avoid ranking fights, one group should be introduced into the aquarium at a time. Towards other fish they behave peacefully and should therefore be socialized only with calm and peaceful fish.
Sex dimorphism
There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
The fry are dark brown and have an orange-red fringe around the body. During their rapid growth they change shape and color
As coral reef dwellers, they should not be kept in a fish-only aquarium. If kept in groups, with sufficient activity (live stones, large reef surface) and frequent as well as varied feeding, they can be maintained in a coral tank without serious attacks on the corals.
If different species are kept together, make sure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KUITER & DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; BAENSCH & PATZNER (1998): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 7, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
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