🐠 Pinnatus Batfish (Platax pinnatus)
A Jet-Black Juvenile With a Fiery Orange Outline • A Flatworm Mimic • An Expert-Level Showpiece
 
📋 The Pinnatus Batfish, also known as the Pinnate Batfish, Dusky Batfish, or Red-Faced Batfish, is one of the most visually striking juvenile fish in the entire hobby: a jet-black, disc-shaped body with long, trailing dorsal and anal fins, the whole silhouette traced in a brilliant fiery orange-red outline. It's a classic case of Batesian mimicry, closely resembling the appearance of toxic flatworms to deter predators. As the fish matures, this dramatic colouring and shape is lost entirely, fading to a comparatively bland silvery-grey adult.
It's native to the Western Pacific, from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia, where juveniles inhabit shallow mangroves and inner reef areas while adults move to deeper coral reefs and inshore waters. It's very shy when first introduced and needs ample hiding places, and its fins are delicate and easily damaged during handling. It isn't reef safe: it poses a threat to shrimps, anemones, corals, and other invertebrates.
It's also one of the most demanding species in the trade. It's a very demanding batfish: juveniles can be slow to start feeding, and it's extremely sensitive to water quality, particularly ammonia and nitrite. It needs a very large, deep tank of 200 gallons or more, given its adult size and tall body shape. Every Pinnatus Batfish we ship is feeding well, and it suits expert aquarists with a mature, pristine system and a concrete feeding plan. Our team is happy to talk it through with you.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Jet-Black Juvenile, Fiery Orange Outline: A striking flatworm mimic
🎭 Batesian Mimicry: The juvenile's colouring imitates toxic flatworms
🧠 An Expert-Level Species: Needs a pristine system and a feeding plan
🍽️ Ships Feeding Well: Every Pinnatus Batfish is eating before it leaves us
🌿 Not Reef Safe: Poses a threat to shrimps, anemones, and corals