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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