[BlueTrend Mini Classroom] Can't Tell *Platax orbicularis* from *Platax teira*? A Complete Guide to the 4 Batfish Species!

There are four species of batfish commonly found in Taiwanese waters: Platax orbicularis, Platax boersii, Platax pinnatus, and Platax teira. Their friendly nature and adorable swimming style never fail to send divers into a frenzy of excitement! In particular, the resident batfish at Green Island's Steel Reef are a must-visit stop on every diver's Green Island itinerary. However, the four species are often difficult to tell apart as adults, and their juveniles are even harder to distinguish. This time, our 海洋博物誌 team is here to share a quick and easy guide to identifying the four batfish species commonly found in Taiwan!

Platax orbicularis Orbiculate Batfish

Platax boersii Boer's Batfish

Platax teira Longfin Batfish / Teira Batfish

Platax pinnatus Dusky Batfish / Pinnate Batfish

Batfish Pop Quiz

Now that you've seen how easy it is to tell these four batfish species apart, do you think you've got it down? We've prepared a couple of photos below — put your new knowledge to the test and see if you can correctly identify each species!

After this little deep-dive, you should be able to proudly share the correct batfish name with your dive buddy next time you spot one underwater! If you'd like to learn more about how to identify marine life and discover fun facts about their habits, a copy of 海洋博物誌 is an absolute must-have — grab your copy here!. And if you'd like to explore basic identification methods for other marine life, check out this article: Marine Citizen Science Database — Simple Species Classification Guide.