Ryan Photographic - Ephippidae - Spadefishes, batfishes

Family Ephippidae

The family Ephippidae is comprised of 20 species in 7 genera (Fishbase). The family includes all the spadefishes. Ephippids are found in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. In many species the young are very different from the adults. Most are omnivores and the scats will often live in brackish water.

Platax pinnatus may be a "keystone species" on coral reefs because they will eat algae that other herbivorous fishes will not. They are popular with divers because they allow close approach and large schools look spectacular.

Platax batavianus Batavia spadefish

FISH 3009 Platax batavianus Batavia spadefish, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

FISH 6448 Platax batavianus, Batavian spadefish juvenile, Lembeh Straits

Platax pinnatus Pinnate spadefish

FISH 1332 Platax pinnatus Pinnate spadefish, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

Platax teira Longfin spadefish

FISH 0202 Platax teira Longfin spadefish, Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

FISH 0210 Platax teira Longfin spadefish, Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

FISH 9374 Platax teira Longfin spadefish, Kri Eco jetty, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

FISH 1769 Platax teira Longfin spadefish school , Kri, Raja Ampat, West Papua (Dave Herrick photo).

Fishes

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