Atoll butterflyfish

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Atoll butterflyfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
Species: C. mertensii
Binomial name
Chaetodon mertensii
Cuvier, 1831

The Atoll butterflyfish, Chaetodon mertensii, is a member of the Chaetodontidae.

Contents

[edit] Range

Found in the Pacific ocean from the Ryukyu Islands to the Philippines and extending to Lord Howe, Rapa and Tuamoto islands.[1]

[edit] Description

Grows to a maximum of 12.5 cm long. Body color is white with 5-7 chevron-shaped dark grey bands on the sides. The posterior portion of the trunk, the adjacent dorsal and anal fins, and the posterior portion of the caudal fin are orange or yellow. A vertical black bar runs across the eye and over the nape without a break; in the similar species there is a separate nape spot and eyestripe.[1]

[edit] Diet

The Atoll butterflyfish feeds on algae and small benthic invertebrates.[1]

[edit] Habitat

The Atoll butterflyfish is found in deep lagoons and seaward reefs from 10-120 m depth.[1]

[edit] Similar species

Chaetodon madagaskariensis, Chaetodon paucifasciatus and Chaetodon xanthurus are similar species with different ranges.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Chaetodon mertensii". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 12 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.