Platax teira

Behavior:

Longfin batfish are highly social and often form large, towering schools in open water or around shipwrecks and deep reef drop-offs. While adults are bold and frequently approach divers out of curiosity and particularly during safety stops, juveniles are much more secretive, often hiding among mangroves or floating debris. They are omnivorous generalists, feeding on algae, zooplankton, and small invertebrates.

Predators:

Sharks, large jacks and billfish.

Did you know?

The appearance of this fish changes dramatically as it grows. Juveniles have extraordinarily long, wing-like dorsal and anal fins that make them look like a drifting dead leaf—a clever form of camouflage to avoid being eaten. As they mature, their body becomes more disc-shaped and silver.