Fledermausfische (Platax) sind im Indopazifik und im Roten Meer beheimatet. Die Jungtiere halten sich vorzugsweise in der Nähe von Riffen auf. Ausgewachsene Fledermausfische sind hingegen auch im offenen Meer anzutreffen.
Sie haben einen flachen Körper, ein kleines Maul mit kleinen, borstenähnlichen Zähnen und kleine Schuppen. Charakteristisch sind für sie dunkel gefärbte senkrechte Bänder über Augen und Seitenflossen. Die Jungtiere unterscheiden sich von den Alttieren durch ihre imposant ausgezogenen Bauch-, Rücken- und Afterflossen.
Die Nahrung der Fledermausfische besteht hauptsächlich aus Würmern, Krabben und Quallen.
Fledermausfische sind sehr neugierig. Es wurde häufiger beobachtet, dass sie Tauchern nachschwimmen und an deren Ausrüstung oder den Fingern knabbern. Sie probieren auch gerne die von Tauchern aufsteigenden Luftblasen zu schnappen.
Über die Fortpflanzung der Tiere ist wenig bekannt.
Zwei fossile Fledermausfische, Eoplatax papilio[1] und Platax altissimus[2], sind aus dem mittleren Eozän der norditalienische Monte-Bolca-Formation, die aus Ablagerungen der Tethys entstand, bekannt.
Junge Fledermausfische sehen mit ihren an Skalaren erinnernden hohen Flossen sehr attraktiv aus und werden manchmal als Zierfische für Seewasseraquarianer verkauft. Sie wachsen jedoch sehr schnell, die Farben verblassen und die eleganten hohen Flossen verschwinden. Aufgrund der Größe ausgewachsener Tiere (normalerweise bis 40 cm, in Ausnahmefällen bis zu 60 cm) sind Fledermausfische nicht für die private Aquarienhaltung geeignet, jedoch imposante Tiere für große, öffentliche Schau- und Zooaquarien.
Fledermausfische (Platax) sind im Indopazifik und im Roten Meer beheimatet. Die Jungtiere halten sich vorzugsweise in der Nähe von Riffen auf. Ausgewachsene Fledermausfische sind hingegen auch im offenen Meer anzutreffen.
Platax is a genus of Indo-Pacific, reef-associated fish belonging to the family Ephippidae.[1] There are currently five known extant species generally accepted to belong to the genus.[2] They are one of the fish taxa commonly known as "batfish".
Members of the genus Platax are generally similar in shape to the other species in the family. Adults are rather disc-shaped fish, with laterally compressed bodies and large dorsal and anal fins that give individuals a somewhat triangular profile. Platax teira is the largest species, reaching lengths of around 70 centimetres (28 in).[3] The other species reach maximum lengths of around 40–65 cm (16–26 in).[1]
Platax can be found in reefs throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. Their range extends from the western Indian Ocean in the Red Sea to as far east as Australia. Most Platax species can be found in higher latitudes, as high as the Ryukyu Islands in Japan and as far south as the eastern coast of Australia.[4] However, the ranges of the individual species is not consistent throughout the genus' range. Platax pinnatus for example is most likely not found in the Indian Ocean.[1] A few individuals have been found in Atlantic waters. Apparently, the species Platax orbicularis has been observed in Florida waters as a non-native, invasive species. The aquarium industry has been blamed for the spread of this species into the Caribbean.[5]
Members of the genus are most common around reefs and shipwrecks.[4]
The genus was first used by Cuvier with the publication of his 1816 system of animal classification. He assigned the genus to the batfish species Platax boersii, a classification which still holds to this day. Another species to be assigned to the genus by Cuvier was Platax ocellatus, a butterflyfish that is now more correctly classified in the genus Chaetodon in Chaetodontidae. In the same work, a species that is now known to belong to the genus, Platax teira was classified by Cuvier in a different genus, Chaetodon teira.[6]
A few species have been assigned to the genus that have since been reclassified into other genera. The butterflyfish, C. ocellatus mentioned above is one of these species. Another species that has been mistakenly classified as a Platax is the common freshwater angelfish, Pterophyllum scalare. In a joint effort with Valenciennes, Cuvier published a natural history work in 1831 where the freshwater angelfish was classified as Platax scalaris.[7] The freshwater angelfish, of course is not as closely related to the marine batfish as to warrant classification in the same genus.[8] A more scientifically acceptable mis-classification would be that of the species Zabidius novemaculeatus. This species was first described as Platax novemaculeatus by Mcculloch when it was discovered from Australia in the early 1900s.[9] The species is now classified in the genus Zabidius, which is still in the same family as the genus Platax.[10]
The generic name, "platax" was coined from the Greek term platys - meaning "flat". This refers to the generally compressed body shape of the fish. They are commonly called "batfish".[1] However, they are not the only fish taxon called by this name. Fish from the only distantly related family Ogcocephalidae are also commonly known as "batfish".[11] Other families with species that have been referred to as "batfish" include the families Dactylopteridae,[12] Drepaneidae,[13] Monacanthidae,[14] and Monodactylidae.[15]
There are currently five recognized species in this genus:[16]
There are also at least four fossil species known:[17]
Platax is a genus of Indo-Pacific, reef-associated fish belonging to the family Ephippidae. There are currently five known extant species generally accepted to belong to the genus. They are one of the fish taxa commonly known as "batfish".
Platax es un género de peces actinopeterigios marinos,[2] distribuidos por aguas del océano Índico y oeste del océano Pacífico.[3]
Existen cinco especies reconocidas en este género:[2]
Además de cuatro especies fósiles:[4]
Platax es un género de peces actinopeterigios marinos, distribuidos por aguas del océano Índico y oeste del océano Pacífico.
Platax (les platax en français) est un genre de poissons marins de la famille des Ephippidae.
Ce sont de grands poissons tropicaux à la forme très aplatie latéralement ; la plupart des espèces peuvent atteindre plus de 60 cm de long. Ils peuvent être plus hauts que longs, avec une silhouette allant de l'ovale au triangle. Les nageoires dorsale et anale sont très développées, notamment chez les juvéniles.
Selon World Register of Marine Species (4 juin 2014)[1] :
Espèces fossiles :
Platax batavianus juvénile
Platax orbicularis juvénile
Platax pinnatus juvénile
Platax teira juvénile
Platax altissimus (fossile)
Platax macropterygius (fossile)
Platax (les platax en français) est un genre de poissons marins de la famille des Ephippidae.
Platax is een geslacht van straalvinnige vissen uit de familie van schopvissen (Ephippidae).[2] Het geslacht is voor het eerst wetenschappelijk beschreven in 1817 door Cuvier.[1]
De volgende soorten behoren tot het geslacht:
Platax is een geslacht van straalvinnige vissen uit de familie van schopvissen (Ephippidae). Het geslacht is voor het eerst wetenschappelijk beschreven in 1817 door Cuvier.
Platax – rodzaj morskich ryb z rodziny szpadelkowatych.
Od Morza Czerwonego przez Ocean Indyjski do zachodniego Pacyfiku.
Płetwa grzbietowa i odbytowa w kształcie sierpa - uniesione powodują, że wysokość ciała jest większa od jego długości. Ryby z tego rodzaju osiągają od 40-70 cm długości.
Gatunki zaliczane do tego rodzaju [2]:
Platax – rodzaj morskich ryb z rodziny szpadelkowatych.
Platax là một chi cá trong họ cá tai tượng biển Ephippidae thuộc bộ cá vược, chúng là loài bản địa của vùng Ấn Độ Dương-Thái Bình Dương.[1]
Hiện hành có 05 loài được ghi nhận trong chi này[2][3]
Một số hóa thạch của các loài cá cũng được ghi nhận trong chi này:[4]
Platax là một chi cá trong họ cá tai tượng biển Ephippidae thuộc bộ cá vược, chúng là loài bản địa của vùng Ấn Độ Dương-Thái Bình Dương.