Batfish in Thailand: Species, Best Dive Sites and How to See Them

Featured image: portioid, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Quick answer: batfish in Thailand

Batfish are a small family, and Platax is the only genus found in shallow water. Most sources count about five Platax species. Adults measure roughly 35–65 cm (about 14–26 in), with a rounded body and tall dorsal and anal fins. Together those give the spade outline that earns them the name spadefish. Dive operators describe them near wrecks, jetties and buoy lines, and they often swim straight up to divers. For other fish you can meet on the same dives, start with the Thailand marine life hub.

Which batfish will you see? A species ID table

Three Platax species matter for Thailand: teira (longfin or tall-fin), round and shaded batfish. Adults look alike at a glance, so check the head, the fins and the snout. Juveniles differ far more than adults. Reports say shaded juveniles are black with an orange fin edge and imitate toxic flatworms. Round juveniles are said to drift like dead leaves. Local guides can tell you which species is resident at a given site.

Where to see batfish in Thailand

Two regions give the best odds. On Koh Tao, longfin batfish are described around the HTMS Sattakut wreck and Chumphon Pinnacle, at depths of about 8–25 m (26–82 ft). Smaller groups gather at White Rock. Juveniles often hang near boat moorings. In the Andaman Sea, a liveaboard log from March 2025 recorded teira batfish at the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock and Boonsung Wreck.

• Koh Tao: HTMS Sattakut wreck and Chumphon Pinnacle for adults; White Rock for smaller groups; mooring lines for juveniles.
• Andaman Sea leads: Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai, Richelieu Rock, Hin Daeng, Koh Haa, Koh Phi Phi, Surin Islands and Hin Muang.
• Wreck lead: Boonsung Wreck, where teira batfish have been photographed.
• Ask your operator which of these sites held batfish on recent dives, because schools move.

Koh Tao vs Andaman: how to choose

Koh Tao suits beginners and short stays. It is Thailand's original island diving destination, and its shallow bays are used for first dives. Batfish at the wreck and pinnacle are reachable on day boats. The Andaman sites suit divers who want bigger-fish itineraries, and most are reached by liveaboard. Those sites bring more time at sea and more logistics. Operator prices differ widely, so compare current quotes from two or three operators.

When to go

Koh Tao operators describe longfin batfish as present year-round. They say schools thin out in rough weather and re-form within days. For general conditions, one Koh Tao operator lists January to March as the clearest-water window. The Andaman coast runs on its own monsoon calendar, so check seasonal conditions with the park authority at Thailand's national parks department. Batfish-specific seasonality is not documented, so ask operators about recent sightings.

Behavior and encounter etiquette

Batfish often follow divers and hold a few meters away. If you stay still, they come closer. Shaded batfish are the exception and tend to swim off. Juveniles are shy and shelter under overhangs and in caves. Good buoyancy matters most. Hovering in place keeps you calm and the fish relaxed. Never touch or feed any fish.

• Do not chase a school; hold your position and let fish approach.
• Do not feed batfish to keep them close.
• Keep fins off the bottom near juveniles sheltering under overhangs.
• Stay off moorings and wrecks with your gear dragging.
• Photograph from a distance instead of crowding a single fish.

Can you see batfish while snorkeling?

Sometimes. Juveniles use shallow water, and operators note juvenile batfish on shallow Koh Tao reefs such as Japanese Gardens, Aow Leuk and Shark Bay. Boat moorings are another place to scan from the surface. Adult schools sit mid-water beside structures at 8–25 m, which is scuba range. A snorkeler should expect juveniles, not big adult schools. Divers on the same Koh Tao dives also meet barracuda, lionfish, cuttlefish and moray eels.

Conservation and threats

Batfish are fished heavily and prized by sport anglers. Juveniles are also taken for the aquarium trade. Shaded batfish may help keep reefs clear of algae, and a study on that role is worth reading before you repeat the claim. Check species status on the IUCN Red List. Responsible operators, good buoyancy and no-touch habits cut your impact. On Andaman trips, big-fish sites like Koh Bon and Koh Tachai are covered in our manta rays guide. Reef grazers such as parrotfish play a related role.