ANIMAL SPECIES:Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish, Chaetodon baronessa (Cuvier, 1831)
The Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish has a purplish coloured body with yellow chevron-shaped markings on the side. The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific
Identification
The Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish has a purplish coloured body with yellow chevron-shaped markings on the side. It has three dark bars on the head and a dark bar with light edges crossing the caudal fin.
Size range
The species grows to 15 cm in length.Similar Species
The Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish looks similar to the Triangular Butterflyfish, C. triangulum. The Triangular Butterflyfish has an additional yellow bar on the caudal fin base that is lacking in the Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish. The Seribu Islands off Java is the only place where these two fishes are found together.Distribution
Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Eastern Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific, from the Cocos-Keeling Atoll, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to Fiji.
In Australia it is known from the north-western coast of Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef, south to southern Queensland.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish inhabit reefs and lagoons that contain abundant Acropora coral. It is found in depths between 1 m and 20 m.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The species feeds on the polyps of Acropora corals.
Other behaviours and adaptations
The fish's highly compressed body allows it to dart between coral branches when threatened.
It is often seen in pairs and is highly territorial.
Classification
- Species:
- baronessa
- Genus:
- Chaetodon
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Order:
- Perciformes
- 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.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
- 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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An Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish at Wishbone Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Eastern Triangular Butterflyfish, Chaetodon baronessa View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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