Humpback Batfish (Platax batavianus)
| Humpback Batfish Platax batavianus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Humpback Batfish |
| Name Lat. | Platax batavianus |
| Family | Batfishes |
| Family lat. | Ephippidae |
| Order | Surgeonfishes |
| Order lat. | Acanthuriformes |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific |
| Habitat | Open water |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, group |
| Reef Compatible | With caution |
| Care Level | Difficult |
| Life Span | N/A |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 50 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 1.700 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 20" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 450 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution range of Platax batavianus is in the Indo-West Pacific, from Madagascar to Indonesia and Australia. Adults prefer deep places over sandy bottoms, juveniles are mostly found in shallow shore areas.
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
They should be kept individually or in groups. 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. They behave peacefully towards other fish and should therefore only be socialized 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 black and white striped and carry very long fins. 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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