| Family: |
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes) |
| Max. size: |
14 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 22 - 80 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: known only from Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar, Amirante, Christmas Island, and Cocos-Keeling Atoll south of Sumatra. Probably widely distributed around the islands of the tropical Indian Ocean. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-15. Description: Head and body yellow, diagonal stripes two very broad black from dorsal to ventral contour eye bar black to orange. Snout length 2.7-3.3 in HL. Body depth 1.7-1.9 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Not much is known of this deep-dwelling butterfly, but recent observations indicate that it can form small groups of up to 5 individuals and inhabits steep outer reef drop-offs in rubble areas or among growths of black coral and sea fans. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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