Chaetodon argentatus Smith & Radcliffe, 1911
Asian butterflyfish
Chaetodon argentatus
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan, Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, China, and the Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-16. Description: Body white, side pattern network of intersecting diagonal lines, dorsal vertical stripes 3 broad black on posterior of head, and on middle and rear of body, the third one extending from dorsal fin reaching the ventral contour and to anal fin. Snout length 2.7-3.0 in HL. Body depth 1.7-1.9 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabit rocky areas and coral reefs. Often in pairs or groups (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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