Orbicular Batfish - Small

The Orbicular Batfish has an appearance that evolves over time. Juveniles are brown and have a dark band that runs over the eye with dark blotches at the rear of the body. They will turn on to their side to resemble a dead leaf which deters predators. Adults develop a silvery coloured body, with three dark bands running vertically downwards. One band goes over the eye, the second band is behind its head and the third at the base of the tail. The dorsal, anal, and tailfin are yellow with black trim.

It has been possible for Orbicular Batfish to breed in captivity. Reports indicate they could be one the easiest pelagic spawners to rear. They are very fertile, spawning in thousands. The young develop on a diet of copepod naulpii and rotifers.

This species is distributed across the Indo-Pacific. They are found in locations such as East Africa, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, Japan, and Australia. They inhabit reefs, mangroves, or lagoons, in brackish water. Usually between depths of 5-30 metres.

Tank Recommendations for the Orbicular Batfish

The smallest recommended tank size is 1000 gallons (3785 litres).

This species is not suitable for a reef environment. It likes to eat anemones and small crustaceans such as crabs or shrimp.

It is best to keep it in a fish only aquarium with plenty of caves, crevices, and overhangs. A suitable tank should have plenty of open water space for swimming.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Orbicular Batfish has a peaceful temperament. It can be very shy when first introduced into an aquarium.

Their most suitable tank buddies are large peaceful fish. If a tank is large enough they can be housed as a pair or a small school.

Usually Compatible

Suitable tankmates include Angelfish, Parrotfish, Pufferfish, and Squirrelfish.

Sometime Compatible

Caution is advised with Anthias, Dragonets, Hogfish, Tangs, and fish only Wrasse.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid Groupers, Triggerfish, Sharks and Rays. Slow movers such as Seahorses and Pipefish are unsuitable for a tank with Batfish.

Feeding Your Orbicular Batfish

Orbicular Batfish are omnivores. They will eat a variety of vegetable and meaty foods. A suitable diet should include macroalgae such as Nori seaweed. Recommended meaty foods include small crustaceans such as artemia, mysis shrimp, crab, and krill. They will also consume live feeder shrimp and marine fish. Feed 2-3 times per day.