Batfish

Almost everytime your boat comes to rest near any common snorkel or dive site, you'll find schools of Batfish hanging around. These large and placid fish are hanging around because many people hand feed them. This is not such a good idea as this artificial source of food, inflates their numbers which has an effect on the balance of the entire dive site. Not to mention the fact that most people feed them with bread which is harmful to the fish. The best way to enjoy these fish is simply to watch them. They will usually aproach quite close and if you slowly reach out, you may find yourself allowed to pat one for a few seconds.

Fishing

Fishermen will sometimes encounter the Batfish whilst fishing the reefs for other species. They seem to quite like peeled or live prawn baits, but will eat just about anything at all. Due to their large broad, flat body, they fight very strongly when hooked but are poor eating, so if you do hook one, enjoy the fight and release it unharmed back to the sea.

See also: Marine Life Whitsundays | Whitsunday Whales | Whitsunday Manta Rays | Giant Clams | Whitsundays Maori Wrasse | Whitsunday Turtles | Whitsunday Clown Fish | Coral Trout | Yellow Tail Fusilier | Whitsunday Giant Trevally | White Tip Reef Sharks | Whitsundays Batfish |