ANIMAL SPECIES:Speckled Butterflyfish, Chaetodon citrinellus (Cuvier, 1831)
The Speckled Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is white to yellow with numerous dots on the body. A black bar passes through the eye, and the caudal fin is transparent.
Identification
The Speckled Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is white to yellow with numerous dots on the body. A black bar passes through the eye, and the caudal fin is transparent.
The species bears a superficial resemblance to several other species including Gunther's butterflyfish Chaetodon guentheri. The black lower anal fin margin of C. citrinellus distinguishes it from other species.
Size range
The Speckled Butterflyfish grows to 13cm in length.Distribution
The Speckled Butterflyfish is recorded from tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-West and Central Pacific.
In Australia it is known to occur from central to north-western Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef to central New South Wales.
Habitat
The species is usually found in very shallow (1-3m) coral reefs, however it is sometimes seen in water over 30 m deep.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
It eats coral polyps, algae, and polychaete worms.
Classification
- Species:
- citrinellus
- 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.
- 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 Speckled Butterflyfish at Pixie's Pinnacle View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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