#shaded batfish

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #595

Dusky batfish!

It goes through a major change as it matures, going from a juvenile with a deep black colour with bright orange highlights and large, elongated fins to an adult with more proportionate fins, lighter colours, stripes and yellow accents. The eye-catching appearance of the juvenile is meant to mimic a toxic flatworm, so that predators won't make the fish a target!

Oh, and here's the adult, for good measure:

[fuckyeahaquaria]

Pinnate Spadefish | Platax pinnatus

[crochetbabe]

Hmm, which is his best side? 

Beaded Crochet Batfish

Platax pinnatus

[oceansoftheworld]

(Info/Info)

The Pinnate batfish (Platax pinnatus)  also known as the firebird fish, dusky batfish, shaded batfish, or red-faced batfish is a fish from the western Pacific.  It is one of the most remarkable species of saltwater aquarium fish, but notoriously difficult to keep in the home aquarium. Most wild-caught saltwater fish reject commercial foods and die from starvation, despite plenty of food being available in the tank. If that’s not enough, they require plenty of water (a single firebird needs 180-300 gallons), and perfect salinity levels. As a juvenile it is blackish brown, or black with an orange stripe outlining its entire body. Adults become a dull silver. This fish grows to a maximum size of 45 cm (18 in).

[crochetbabe]

This beaded crochet batfish looks sad, he wants to be adopted! 

Juvenile Dusky Batfish Plush (Platax pinnatus)

[crochetbabe]

This crochet dusky batfish enjoys adventures to forest ponds