Koh Tao Batfish

The Koh Tao Batfish (also known as Longfin Batfish or Spadefish) is just another of the great variety of fish that Koh Tao diving has to offer all levels of divers. Whether you are doing your first dive of the open water course or making a deep fun dive, you can see these fish at most of our dive sites. Find out a little more about this weird-looking fish in this article.

Koh Tao Batfish Description

The longfin batfish can grow to around 60 cm in size.  They have a dark blotch under the pectoral fin, with another long dark mark above the base of the anal fin.  This fish is usually silver, grey, or brownish in color.  It has a blackish band through the eye and another band with a pectoral fin.  From the side, they have a roughly circular body with a low hump on the nape.  The juveniles are pretty cute with their very long dorsal and anal fins that become relatively shorter as the fish grows into adulthood.  It’s scientific name is Platax teira.

Where Can You Find Koh Tao’s Batfish?

You can find batfish around many of Koh Tao’s dive sites, typically singly at Chumphon Pinnacle, Hin Wong Pinnacle, Twins. Or White Rock and at Sail Rock or South West Pinnacle they can be found schooling in large numbers like in the photo below.

What Do They Do?

The batfish is an omnivore and it will eat plankton, small invertebrates, and marine algae.  Also popular in private aquariums, but I am not so sure about that.  If you want to see them it is best to come diving instead!  Around Koh Tao Batfish are not scared of divers, if you are careful and cautious you can get close with your camera for some awesome shots.  We know very little about their reproductive activities except that they spawn in the open ocean.  But once the juveniles have grown to around 20mm in length they settle around reefs or lagoons where they can be protected from predators.  I have seen a few juveniles hanging around buoy lines when they are bigger than 20 mm, very entertaining when making a safety stop.
So if you are interested in learning more about Koh Tao batfish and other marine life you can study for the Fish Identification or Marine Ecology courses.  Everything, including the exam, is online making studying much easier so there is no excuse not to.

How Do I Sign Up For Diving On Koh Tao?

Contact us 🙂 Easy.
If you are interested in the ecology or Koh Tao diving courses contact us or you can find out more about the diving we offer by clicking on the links below or follow us on Facebook or Instagram

Want To Know More About Koh Tao Diving Courses?

Hit the links below to find out more about these diving courses.  We can provide all levels of training from beginners to professional levels.  There are many more courses available so please ask if you do not see what you are looking for.
Try Scuba Diving
Open Water Course
Advanced Course
Fun Dives

Want To Know More?

Find out more about the SSI diver training agency here: Dive SSI Registering on SSI is completely free and gives you access to lots of information on dive courses, professional training, dive sites around the world and special offers.  You can download a free app onto your phone to make this easier.