ANIMAL SPECIES:Threadfin Butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga (Forsskål, 1775)
The Threadfin Butterflyfish has a filament trailing from the soft dorsal fin of adults. The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific.
Alternative Names/s
The species had also been called the Threadfin Coralfish.Identification
The Threadfin Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration and by the filament trailing from the soft dorsal fin of adults.
The body is white with dark chevron-shaped markings. The rear of the body and caudal peduncle are yellow. There is a dark spot on the soft dorsal fin and a black bar through the eye.
Size range
It grows to 20 cm in length.Distribution
The species occurs in marine waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific.
In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Threadfin Butterflyfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
It is usually seen in coral reef and inshore waters.
Classification
- Species:
- auriga
- 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.
- 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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A Threadfin Butterflyfish at Tijou Reef View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
Juvenile Threadfin Butterflyfish at Red Rock Estuary View full size
Ian Shaw
© Ian Shaw
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