Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) > Perciformes (Perch-likes) > Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Etymology: Chaetodon: Greek, chaite = hair + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335). More on author: Forsskål.

Environment / Climate / Range Ecology

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 35 m (Ref. 11441). Tropical; 30°N - 20°S

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m 13.0 range ? - ? cm
Max length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4859)

Short description Morphology | Morphometrics

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 - 21. There is a pattern of `chevron' markings on the sides and a prominent black spot at the posterior edge of the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Adults of this species have a prominent black vertical band running across the eye, and a filament trailing posteriorly from the upper soft portion of the dorsal fin. Juveniles with a black bar over the head that hides the eye and an eye-sized black spot on the soft dorsal fin (Ref. 48636).

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions | Faunafri

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (extending to Mossel Bay, South Africa, Ref. 5372) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands.

May be seen in a variety of habitats ranging from rich coral reefs (Ref. 58652) to weedy and rubble covered areas (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Maybe found singly, in pairs, and in aggregations that roam over large distances in search of food. Feed mainly by tearing pieces from polychaetes, sea anemones, coral polyps, and algae (Ref. 1602). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).

Main reference Upload your references | References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Allen, G.R., 1985. Butterfly and angelfishes of the world. Vol. 2. 3rd edit. in English. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany.

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)

Least Concern (LC)

Threat to humans

Harmless (Ref. 4859)

Human uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial

FAO(Publication : search) | FisheriesWiki | Sea Around Us

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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models

Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref. 82805): PD₅₀ = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].

Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02528 (-0.07267 - 0.12324), b=2.98 (2.92 - 3.05), based on LWR estimates for species & genus-BS (Ref. 93245).

Trophic Level (Ref. 69278): 3.2 ±0.5 se; Based on diet studies.

Resilience (Ref. 69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K>1).

Vulnerability (Ref. 59153): Low vulnerability (12 of 100) .

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

Chaetodon auriga Forsskål, 1775