Teira Batfish
The batfish that you’ll most likely see around the reefs of Thailand is the Teira Batfish (Plantax Teira), also known as the Tall-fin Batfish.
There are five species of Teira Batfish currently known and they are very curious creatures. They often like to investigate divers and follow them around before returning to their group.
Distinguishing Features
Batfish are characteristically disc-shaped with laterally compressed bodies and large dorsal and anal fins. From the side, this makes them look triangular. Usually a blueish silver, they have darker coloured bands around their bodies and fringes of black on their fins. The Batfishes pectoral fin is also usually a striking yellow colour. Behind the pectoral fin is a distinguishable dark spot.
The Tall-fin Batfish is the largest of its species, growing up to 70cm in length.
Habitat
Batfish tend to spend most of their time in shallow tropical waters and make their homes around coral reefs and shipwrecks. Their numbers are most concentrated in the reefs around Northern and Western Australia and the Indo Pacific. At certain times of the year, the adults move locations, to find new sources of food, or to reproduce.
Popular Thailand dive sites with Teira Batfish are Richelieu Rock, Sail Rock, Batfish Bend (Similan Islands) and Koh Torinla (Surin).
Feeding Habits
As omnivores, Batfish eat plankton and marine algae, as well as small invertebrates. They have also been seen eating dead jellyfish.
Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive activities of Batfish, except that they spawn in the open ocean, rather than in shallower waters. When the juveniles grow to around 20 mm in length, they settle around reefs or lagoons where they are protected from predators.
Life Cycle
Juvenile Batfish tend to live by themselves until they are fully matured, seeking the shelter of coral reefs. They use mimicry to camouflage themselves and blend in with seagrass or coral rock. They also mimic the colour of poisonous or inedible sea creatures to deter predators.
As adults, Batfish are peaceful and social fish, usually forming schools with others of their species. This is also a method of defence when exposed in the open ocean.
Batfish factiods
- Batfish are a desirable feature for aquariums, but most keepers lack the ability to house them once they reach full-size.
- Certain species of Batfish play an extremely important role in the biome of the coral reef, similar to the Clownfish.
- Batfish are currently at risk of over fishing and damage to their habitat, due to trawler fishing methods.