Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Perciformes (Perch-likes) >
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Etymology: Chaetodon: Greek, chaite = hair + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335). More on author: Quoy, Gaimard.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 2 - 30 m (Ref. 1602). Tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 18.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4859)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 13 - 15;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 14-16;
Anal
spines: 3-5;
Anal
soft rays: 13 - 15. Body elongate; color is generally white with narrow chevron markings. Juveniles have a mostly yellow tail and a broad black band extending from the rear of the dorsal fin to the rear of the anal fin. Tail pattern and posterior part of body changes dramatically with growth (Ref. 48636).
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands.
Territorial species which occur in shallow lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Closely associated with tabular and staghorn Acropora corals upon which they feed on their polyps and mucus. Solitary or in pairs. Juveniles secretive among coral branches (Ref. 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Myers, R.F., 1991. Micronesian reef fishes. Second Ed. Coral Graphics, Barrigada, Guam. 298 p.
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 90363)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: commercial
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Estimates of some properties based on empirical models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82805): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.02121 (-0.07718 - 0.11961), b=2.95 (2.89 - 3.02), based on LWR estimates for species & genus-BS (Ref.
93245).
Trophic Level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.6 se; Based on diet studies.
Resilience (Ref.
69278): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.5).
Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (24 of 100) .