ANIMAL SPECIES:Oval-spot Butterflyfish, Chaetodon speculum (Cuvier, 1831)
The Oval-spot Butterflyfish is yellow with a large black mark on the upper side of the body. It has a black bar through the eye and a translucent caudal fin margin.
Identification
The Oval-spot Butterflyfish is yellow with a large black mark on the upper side of the body. It has a black bar through the eye and a translucent caudal fin margin.
Size range
The species grows to 18 cm in length.Distribution
The Oval-spot Butterflyfish is known from the eastern Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.
It is found widely throughout tropical marine waters of Australia with the exception of parts of the Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria.
Habitat
The species is found on coral reefs.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats coral polyps and small benthic invertebrates.
Classification
- Species:
- speculum
- Genus:
- Chaetodon
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- 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.
- 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 Oval-spot Butterflyfish off Lizard Island View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
An Oval-spot Butterflyfish at Raine Island View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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