Chaetodon xanthocephalus Bennett, 1833
Yellowhead butterflyfish
Chaetodon xanthocephalus
photo by Rusconi, G.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: East Africa (Ref. 33390) to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 21-23. Description: Snout length 2.3-3.1 in HL. Body depth 1.5-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Hybrids with C. ephippium known. Usually solitary (Ref. 48636), but may form loose shoals of 5-6 individuals and usually found around isolated coral heads. Territorial and aggressive to other chaetodonts; omnivorous (Ref. 5503). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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