Spadefishes
Spadefishes, batfishes and knightfishes are members of the Ephippidae family. They are primarily found in marine waters of Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans in a variety of shallow-water habitats, estuaries and coral reefs. Most species are compressed laterally and deep-bodied. They are omnivores feeding on algae, small fishes and vertebrates.
Worldwide, there are 8 genera and about 15 species. Malaysia is represented by 7 species.
Worldwide, there are 8 genera and about 15 species. Malaysia is represented by 7 species.
Scientific Name: Ephippus orbis (Bloch, 1787)
English Name: Orbfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 圆白鲳 (Yuán bái chāng)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Beluru, Daun Baharu, Peluru
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาคลุด (Plā khlud)
Local Hokkien: Pau Cheoh
Main Identification Features: Head and body silvery blue or green. 4 or 5 faint dark blue bars often visible on body. Dorsal spines longer than soft dorsal rays.
Size: Maximum total length 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Rocky reefs, 10 to 30 m depth. Feed on benthic invertebrates and fishes.
Scientific Name: Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775)
English Name: Longfin Batfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛屎鲳 (Niú shǐ chāng), 象耳朵 (Xiàng ěrduo)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Tudung Periuk, Telinga Gajah
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหูช้างครีบยาว (Plā h̄ūcĥāng khrīb yāw)
Local Hokkien: Gu Sai Cheoh
Main Identification Features: Yellowish silvery or dusky colour, with 3 dark bar where one of them runs through the eye. Large adult have prominent hump on nape and the front head profile almost vertical.
Size: Maximum total length 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Reefs and mangroves, to 25 m depth. Commonly in small groups and occasionally forms large schools. Juveniles inhabit shallow protected inner reefs while adults occur in lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of 20 m or more. Feed on algae, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates.
Adult
Subadult
Juvenile
Scientific Name: Proteracanthus sarissophorus (Cantor, 1849)
English Name: Knightfish, Harpoon Spadefish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 神棘白鲳 (Shén jí bái chāng), 舯舡 (Zhōng chuán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Kuku, Gendang Batu, Perencang
Local Hokkien: Tongkang
Main Identification Features: Body ovoid shape and mouth inferior. One of the spines greatly elongated, thickened, and irregularly swollen.
Size: Maximum total length 35 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries. Feed on seaweeds and invertebrates.
English Name: Orbfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 圆白鲳 (Yuán bái chāng)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Beluru, Daun Baharu, Peluru
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาคลุด (Plā khlud)
Local Hokkien: Pau Cheoh
Main Identification Features: Head and body silvery blue or green. 4 or 5 faint dark blue bars often visible on body. Dorsal spines longer than soft dorsal rays.
Size: Maximum total length 25 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Rocky reefs, 10 to 30 m depth. Feed on benthic invertebrates and fishes.
Scientific Name: Platax teira (Forsskål, 1775)
English Name: Longfin Batfish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 牛屎鲳 (Niú shǐ chāng), 象耳朵 (Xiàng ěrduo)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Tudung Periuk, Telinga Gajah
Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลาหูช้างครีบยาว (Plā h̄ūcĥāng khrīb yāw)
Local Hokkien: Gu Sai Cheoh
Main Identification Features: Yellowish silvery or dusky colour, with 3 dark bar where one of them runs through the eye. Large adult have prominent hump on nape and the front head profile almost vertical.
Size: Maximum total length 70 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Reefs and mangroves, to 25 m depth. Commonly in small groups and occasionally forms large schools. Juveniles inhabit shallow protected inner reefs while adults occur in lagoon and seaward reefs to a depth of 20 m or more. Feed on algae, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates.
Adult
Subadult
Juvenile
Scientific Name: Proteracanthus sarissophorus (Cantor, 1849)
English Name: Knightfish, Harpoon Spadefish
Chinese Name | 鱼类中文名: 神棘白鲳 (Shén jí bái chāng), 舯舡 (Zhōng chuán)
Malay Name | Nama Melayu Malaysia: Ikan Kuku, Gendang Batu, Perencang
Local Hokkien: Tongkang
Main Identification Features: Body ovoid shape and mouth inferior. One of the spines greatly elongated, thickened, and irregularly swollen.
Size: Maximum total length 35 cm.
Habitat and Ecology: Coastal waters and estuaries. Feed on seaweeds and invertebrates.
