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Batfish (Ephippus orbis) — Ephippidae

Batfish

Ephippus orbis
Family: Ephippidae

The Batfish (Ephippus orbis) is a saltwater fish of the family Ephippidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The orbfish is a spadefish (Ephippidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a deep, almost round, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with faint dark bars. It lives in shallow coastal water over mud bottoms. As a bottom hunter it feeds on bottom invertebrates and small fishes near the bottom. Juveniles are more darkly banded and often shelter among floating material. The species is a local food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Batfish?

The Batfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Batfish live?

The Batfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Batfish get?

The Batfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Batfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Batfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Batfish edible?

Yes, the Batfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schijf-spaanvis sourced
English name
Batfish verified
Scientific name
Ephippus orbis
Family
Ephippidae
Other names
Orbfish; Orbiculate spade fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ephippus

More from the family Ephippidae

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