Long fin bat fish

Scientific name : Platax teira

Rounded compressed body, with prominent brow in the larger specimens, symmetrical dorsal and anal fins. Silver colour with vertical bands, more or less dark. Always present a triangular dark blotch in the anus region, in front of anal fin. 60 cm.
Juveniles with very long fins, rounded tips. Juveniles in lagoon, adults in small schools along the external reef. Common also on shipwrecks. Possible confusion with other Platax species, in particular with Platax orbicularis (that has never a dark blotch in the anus area), and with Platax boersi (distinguished by more yellow fins and tail and by the tendency to live in larger schools). Platax pinnatus has concave snout profile. Juveniles P. boersi have elongated but triangular dorsal and anal fins.