Chaetodon dolosus Ahl, 1923
African butterflyfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 40 - 200 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Somalia south to Natal, South Africa and east to Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Reunion.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-19. Rear part of body, dorsal and anal fins blackish; caudal fin yellow; dorsal and anal fin edges white; dark eyeband connected at nape (Ref. 5372). Juveniles pale olive green with vertical rows of small brownish spots; middle of soft dorsal rays with black blotch (Ref. 5372).
Biology:  Inhabit deep offshore reefs, over rocks and coral rubble (Ref. 9710). Usually paired, occasionally seen with C. mitratus (Ref. 9710). Omnivorous. 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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