Chaetodon lunulatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Oval butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunulatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  26.7 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 191.2 g; max. reported age: 12 years
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: widespread from Japan and Australia to the Tuamoto Islands and Hawaii. Replaced by Chaetodon trifasciatus in the Indian Ocean (Ref. 37816). DNA (from tissue samples) expected to further distinguished Chaetodon lunulatus and Chaetodon trifasciatus (Ref. 86689).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Description: Dorsal light pink, shading to yellowish ventrally, stripes diagonal almost horizontal, purple; head yellow, eye bar black with yellow margin; broad black stripe with yellow margin across dorsal, anal and caudal fins; dorsal and anal fins red on outer edge with black margin (Ref. 90102). Distinguished by grey caudal peduncle (Ref. 48636). Snout length 3.0-3.8 in HL. Body depth 1.5-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occur in monogamous pairs in coastal coral-rich areas (Ref. 47838, 48636). Juveniles hide among branches of small corals, often in lagoons (Ref. 9407). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed solely on live corals (Ref. 47838). 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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