Batfish

buttered loins

buttered loins

GO SPRINGBOKS!!!!
Jul 9, 2007
305
0
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Wollongong, Sydney, Australia
Just wondering if i would be able to keep a small batfish in my reef set up i was thinking of a long finned batfish.
Also if they are hard to keep and what foods they eat.
i have a 400L tank which is 64cm in height, which accoring to my book is perfect.
The picture shows the type of batfish i want.

143793485_eba02a8cca[1].jpg
 
No offense but I'd love to know which book you got that info from?

I have always admired batfish and have always wanted one until I started researching them. From my research, the recommended (sensible) tank size minimum is 200gal (757l) as they can grow to 17 inches. Chuck in the fact that they are difficult to feed and tend to starve in captivity is why IMO they are best left in the wild.
 
I've also read and seen evidence that they are highly susceptible to ich.
 
Well the book i got the info from is called "The complete book of the marine aquarium" by Vincent B. Hargreaves. He has rated the batfish 3 stars which one star is for beginners easy to keep and 5 stars left to the experts. he says that it is often difficult to wean this fish onto frozen food but can be done with patience. the book also says that a fully grown specimen requires a water depth of at least 58cm.
But dont just jump to conclusions some people (most) say that you cant have more than one angelfish in a tank and i have 3 which were all introduced at different times and they are the best of friends. a koran angelfish doesnt eat coral because i have one in my reef set up. and dwarf lionfish can be kept with small srimps i have a dwarf lionfish which mouth can easily eat the whole shrimp but again people jump to conclusions. Many fish also dont grow much when placed in a tank due to the size of the tank. i have a set of yellow banded maroon clowns which have grown the tinest bit and i have had them for almost 3 years.

so i just wanted to know if any has had a batfish and some tips or advice if they are really hard to keep. Disease is not a issue.
 
Unfortunately disease IS an issue with the Pinnatus Bat. I once tried one several years ago as they are GORGEOUS bats. Unfortunately 90 percent of them come in with/or soon after arrival come down with fin rot for NO apparent reason. Once they get the fin rot (can only been seen by shredding in their fins) their death is imminent :(. The other 10 percent don't eat, so IMHO, is best left to the oceans. Plus have you seen pictures of adult batfish (Pinnatus included). They are not the most attractive fish around as adults, they lose all their gorgeous finnage and become rather bland silver fish with big heads. If I were you I would stick with the Teira Bat or Orbic Bat but I do agree, you need a bigger tank when they are adult. Hope this helps and please consider leaving the Pinnatus in the wild where they belong!
 
I don't keep SW, but I do have a little knowledge of Bats via the aquarium. Which specific species are you thinking of? Most get large, not just long but very very thick bodied. They are also very active schooling fish. I would not consider them properly housed without being in a group in anything under a huge tank.
 
I suppose i just got lost in the beauty i forget about the fishes well being. i am just looking for one more fish to my tank set up and i just wanted it to be beautiful. do you have any ideas of fish that are stunning, and different.
 
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