192: EPHIPPIDAE (BATFISHES)
192.2 Platax pinnatus: 14 cm SL (after Randall & Emery, 1971).
192.3 Platax teira: top: 48 cm (Inhaca Id.); bottom: 8 cm SL (after Taylor, 1964).
606
Longfin batfish
192.3 Platax teira
(Forsskal,1775)
PLATE 68
Langvin-vlermuisvis
Chaetodon teira Forsskal, 1775: 60 (Lohaja, Red Sea). Platax teira:
Smith, 1980: 178.
D Y·YI,28·34; A III,22-28; P 16-18; LL 48-53; 5 pores each side of
mandible.
Juveniles with exceptionally long soft D and A edged
bright orange. The ocular band of adults is uniformly dark
(not striated). A graceful fish with D and A more pointed
than those of other species. Attains 50 cm. Indo-West
Pacific south to Durban.
Genus Tripterodon Playfair, 1866
Differentiated from Chaetodipterus Lacepede by tricuspid (not setiform), apically brown teeth. Monotypic.
Spadefish
192.4 Tripterodon orbis
Playfair, 1866
Graafvis
Tripterodon orbis Playfair, in Playfair & Giinther, 1866: 42, PI. 7, Fig. 1
(Zanzibar); Smith, 1936: 303* (revision); SFSA No. 578* (previous S.A.
records confused this species with Chaetodipterus orbis (Bloch, 1787) and
C. goreensis (Cuvier, 1831».
D IX,19-21; A III,15-17; P 17-19; GR (11-13)+(9-11); upper GR
packed close together; LL 43-45. D spines less produced in large specimens; 1st Y ray elongate. Mouth small, lips thick, teeth movable, com192.4 Tripterodon orbis: top: 16 cm stained and cleared specimen; bottom:
21.5 cm specimen dissected to show gasbladder.
192.2 Platax pinnatus: 14 cm SL (after Randall & Emery, 1971).
192.3 Platax teira: top: 48 cm (Inhaca Id.); bottom: 8 cm SL (after Taylor, 1964).
606
Longfin batfish
192.3 Platax teira
(Forsskal,1775)
PLATE 68
Langvin-vlermuisvis
Chaetodon teira Forsskal, 1775: 60 (Lohaja, Red Sea). Platax teira:
Smith, 1980: 178.
D Y·YI,28·34; A III,22-28; P 16-18; LL 48-53; 5 pores each side of
mandible.
Juveniles with exceptionally long soft D and A edged
bright orange. The ocular band of adults is uniformly dark
(not striated). A graceful fish with D and A more pointed
than those of other species. Attains 50 cm. Indo-West
Pacific south to Durban.
Genus Tripterodon Playfair, 1866
Differentiated from Chaetodipterus Lacepede by tricuspid (not setiform), apically brown teeth. Monotypic.
Spadefish
192.4 Tripterodon orbis
Playfair, 1866
Graafvis
Tripterodon orbis Playfair, in Playfair & Giinther, 1866: 42, PI. 7, Fig. 1
(Zanzibar); Smith, 1936: 303* (revision); SFSA No. 578* (previous S.A.
records confused this species with Chaetodipterus orbis (Bloch, 1787) and
C. goreensis (Cuvier, 1831».
D IX,19-21; A III,15-17; P 17-19; GR (11-13)+(9-11); upper GR
packed close together; LL 43-45. D spines less produced in large specimens; 1st Y ray elongate. Mouth small, lips thick, teeth movable, com192.4 Tripterodon orbis: top: 16 cm stained and cleared specimen; bottom:
21.5 cm specimen dissected to show gasbladder.