Platax Pinnatus, a colorful juvenile fish
The shaded Batfish... loved by divers, he is not so easy to observe in its juvenile form, which is drastically different from its adult form.
Why is it called Shaded Batfish?
| Platax pinnatus, the red platax or shaded platax, is a species of marine fish of the family Ephippidae. The origins of the scientific name: Platax: from Greek [platos] = flat, wide Pinnatus: from Latin [pinnatus] = which has wings, feathers, in connection with its long fins, especially in the juveniles. |  |
Where do shaded batfish live?
 Distribution of shaded batfish. | It is found in the Indo-Pacific and regularly sighted in the Andaman Sea, both in Thailand and Myanmar. Unfortunately, the juvenile stage of this species is the most stunning and only last a few months. Its adult counterpart is less striking/ popular with underwater photographers. |
How to recognize Platax Pinnatus? And at what stage of its life?
| Small juveniles are black with a bright orange-red border around the body and fins; fins have a scalloped outline; they swim with exaggerated movements; small juveniles are thought to mimic similar-looking flatworms. |  |
 | With age, a grey spot appears on its side, starting behind the pectoral fin; the dorsal and anal fins lengthen and become more pointed. It is the beginning of its transformation from a black elongated juvenile to a round shaped grey adult.  adult shaded batfish |
Once adult, two black bars appear at the level of the eyes and just before the pectoral fin. The dorsal and anal fins have elongated well and are yellowing a bit. Its body is now silver. It can reach the forty centimeters
Batfish reproduction
The sexes are separated and there is no sexual dimorphism. Platax pinnatus is ovuliparous and the fertilization is external, in open water. The larvae are pelagic a few days then undergo their last metamorphosis and the juvenile begins its life near the bottom.
There are several types of Batfish, the most commonly encountered in Thailand and Myanmar is the Platax teira, also known as longfin batfish or longfin spadefish, but surprisingly we do not often encounter their juveniles...
If the Platax Teira is not afraid about you, it is even curious, it's not the case of the Platax Pinnatus, which stays away from you.
There are several types of Batfish, the most commonly encountered in Thailand and Myanmar is the Platax teira, also known as longfin batfish or longfin spadefish, but surprisingly we do not often encounter their juveniles...
If the Platax Teira is not afraid about you, it is even curious, it's not the case of the Platax Pinnatus, which stays away from you.
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