| Family: |
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes) |
| Max. size: |
10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 100 m, non-migratory |
| Distribution: |
Western Atlantic: southern Florida and the western Gulf of Mexico to the West Indies-Caribbean region and Venezuela. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-19; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Upper half of body yellow-orange, shading into blackish basally in dorsal fin; lower half of body white; orange bands on head and a narrow orange bar on caudal peduncle (Ref. 13442). |
| Biology: |
Inhabit deep coral-rich reefs and drop-offs (Ref. 47838). Feed on small invertebrates. Often seen nibbling on the tube feet of sea urchins or the tentacles of tubeworms (Ref. 9710). Unlike some chaetodonts it does not pick parasites from the bodies of other fishes (Ref. 5521). Solitary, sometimes in pairs (Ref. 47838). Seek refuge when approached (Ref. 47838). 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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