| Family: |
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes) |
| Max. size: |
18 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: anti-equatorial, from southern Japan to Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands and from Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef to Lord Howe Island and New South Wales (Ref. 9710). Recently reported from Tonga (Ref. 53797). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-18. Description: Pearly white with numerous small spots, some forming vertical patterns, and yellow to orange from dorsal fin to anal fin (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.8-4.0 in HL. Body depth 1.4-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabit seaward reefs in areas with rich coral growth. Usually solitary, but also a schooling species that is often on the move, usually in areas prone to strong currents. Usually deep in Indonesia and adults are rarely found in less than 40 m depth. Mainly found in sponge zones and deep water occurrence is habitat related, not cold water as sometimes suggested. This species will travel in open water and cleans large pelagic fishes (Ref. 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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