ANIMAL SPECIES:Redfin Butterflyfish, Chaetodon lunulatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825)
The Redfin Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. It has a yellowish tinge with oblique purple-blue stripes. A yellow-edged black bar passes through the eye, and a narrow black line crosses the cheek behind the eye.
Identification
The Redfin Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. It has a yellowish tinge with oblique purple-blue stripes.
A yellow-edged black bar passes through the eye, and a narrow black line crosses the cheek behind the eye.
The red-orange anal fin has a yellow-edged black band along its base.
Size range
The species grows to 15 cm in length.Distribution
The Redfin Butterflyfish is known from the western Pacific.
In Australia it occurs from off north-western Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef to southern Queensland.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats coral polyps.
Classification
- Species:
- lunulatus
- 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. (as C. trifasciatus).
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A Redfin Butterflyfish at Tijou Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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