Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775)
Longfin batfish, 70cm

Platax teira is uncommon around Kwajalein. When you see them, they are usually as adults mixed in with schools of Platax orbicularis, which they closely resemble. Platax teira can be distinguised by its mostly yellow pelvic fins and by the distinctly darker spot at the base of the vertical brown band just behind the gills. We have not seen juveniles here, but it may be that they come in periodically with flotsam. Young have been reported drifting with masses of flotsam or algae far out to sea.

The photo below shows a few Platax orbicularis followed by two Platax teira on the far right side of the frame.

Created 30 April 2017

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