Humpback batfish
📖 Overview
Inhabits continental reefs . Adults usually moderately deep on open substrates with sparse reef or coral heads. A solitary species, but occasionally in pairs or small groups. Small juveniles also in deep water and the zebra-pattern serves well as camouflage when sheltering with crinoids . Juveniles in shore waters; adults in deeper water. Possible to breed in the aquarium .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28 - 31; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 23. Adults (above 40 cm) silvery, with dark bar through eye and another (faint) bar just behind head. Fins dusky. Small juveniles black, vertical white lines on body and fins. Subadults brown, with black bar from nape, over eye to chest and another black bar from dorsal-fin origin, over pectoral fins to pelvic fins, pectoral and pelvic fins dark brown or black. Body orbicular and strongly compressed, its depth more than twice length of head and 1.1 to 1.9 times in SL. Snout profile of large adults (above 40 cm) concave, with prominent bony swelling between eyes. Jaws with bands of slender, flattened, tricuspid teeth, the middle cusp 3 to 4 times longer than lateral cusps. Vomer with a band of strong teeth, no teeth on palatines. Five pores on each side of lower jaw. Preopercle smooth. Opercle without spines (Ref 43039).: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Humpback batfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; pH range: 22.0 - 28.5; depth range 5 - 40 m . Tropical West Pacific: Madagascar to Indonesia and Australia (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Humpback batfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 94 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Humpback batfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Batavia Batfish · Batavia Spadefish · Batavian Batfish · Batfish · Hump-headed Batfish · Humped Batfish · Humphead Batfish · Moonfish · Zebra Batfish · humpback batfish · humpheaded batfish |
| 🌍CES | netopýrník hrbohlavý |
| 🇩🇪German | Batavia-Fledermausfisch |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Bultkopvleermuisvis |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-bumerangue-bataviano |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Paguala Cabezona |
| 🌍THA | ปลาหูช้าง |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 8 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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