ANIMAL SPECIES:Bluespot Butterflyfish, Chaetodon plebeius (Cuvier 1831)
The Bluespot Butterflyfish are usually found in pairs. They live off coastal and inner reefs feeding mainly on coral polyps.
Alternative Names/s
Also known as a Blue-dash Butterflyfish.Identification
The Bluespot Butterflyfish has thin dark stripes on the body and a patch of blue on the upper sides. There is a black spot on the caudal peduncle and a blue-edged black bar through the eye. Juveniles resemble adults but lack the blue patch on the sides of the body.
Size range
The Bluespot Butterflyfish grows to 15 cm in length.Distribution
The species lives in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-Australian archipelago, north to Japan and east to Fiji. In Australia it is recorded from southern to north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Bluespot Butterflyfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats mostly coral polyps.
Classification
- Species:
- plebeius
- Genus:
- Chaetodon
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Bluespot Butterflyfish at Bougainville Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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