Pinnate Batfish

Pinnate Batfish

The Pinnate Batfish, Platax pinnatus,  is commonly referred to as the Dusky Batfish or Red-Faced Batfish. With its dark brown colored body with outlined orange stripes, it makes a captivating addition to the home aquarium. The Pinnatus Batfish is very sensitive fish and acclimatized very slowly in the tank.  The Pinnatus Batfish grows rapidly and its coloration disappears as it grows. Juveniles are mostly found singly or in small groups. The Pinnatus Batfish grows up to 18 inches and need a tank no less than 150 gallon when an adult.  Since the Pinnatus Batfish eats small fish and invertebrates as well as anemones and corals, it is not considered safe for reef tanks. They should be fed an omnivorous diet that consists of meaty preparations of Shrimp and Crustacean flesh,  along with Seaweed and they will also need Algae to be able to truly thrive. The Pinnatus Batfish prefers brightly lit aquarium with high water quality and stable water parameters. The Pinnatus Batfish is suitable for fish-only with live rock aquarium instead of reef aquariums. The Pinnatus Batfish is very difficult to maintain and need to be cared only by an expert aquarist. We recommend you to maintain pristine water quality in the tank. The Pinnatus Batfish thrives well in a temperature range of 72-78°F and a pH of 8.1-8.4.