Spot-tail butterflyfish

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Spot-tail butterflyfish

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
Species: C. ocellicaudus
Binomial name
Chaetodon ocellicaudus
Cuvier, 1831

The spot-tail butterflyfish, Chaetodon ocellicaudus, is a member of the Chaetodontidae.

Contents

[edit] Range

Found in the Pacific Ocean from Malaysia to New Guinea, north to the Philippines; Palau (Belau) in Micronesia. [1]

[edit] Description

Growing to a maximum of 15cm long. Nearly identical to the blackback butterflyfish Chaetodon melannotus, differing only in the shape of the black mark on the caudal peduncle, in lacking a black mark on the chest, and in having 14 rather than 15 modal pectoral fin rays. [1]

[edit] Diet

Spot-tail butterflyfish feed on soft coral polyps (e.g. Litophyton viridis and species of the genera Sarcophyton, Nephthia, and Clavularia). [1]

[edit] Habitat

The Spot-tail butterflyfish is found at depths between 3 and 15m, in coral reefs. Occur in coral rich areas of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs. Juveniles inshore. Adults usually seen in pairs. [1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Chaetodon ocellicaudus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. 12 2007 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2007.