Chaetodon baronessa Cuvier, 1829
Eastern triangular butterflyfish
Chaetodon baronessa
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Cocos-Keeling Islands in the eastern Indian Ocean and Indonesia to Fiji and Tonga (Ref. 53797), north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and New South Wales, Australia. Replaced by Chaetodon triangulum in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-22. Description: The sides are with a pattern of alternating cream and grey-brown to purplish chevron-shaped narrow bars. Three dark bars on the head, including one running across the eye (Ref. 1602). Snout length 2.6-3.0 in HL. Body depth 1.2-1.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs in lagoon and seaward reefs. Feeds exclusively on the polyps of the tubular Acropora corals. Swims in pairs and are territorial. 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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