Chaetodon decussatus

(Cuvier, 1829)

Vernacular names
English : Indian vagabond butterflyfish
French : Poisson papillon à dorsale noire

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Acanthuriformes (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Chaetodontidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 20 cm in length. Black mask and facial band. Body color dusky to grey-white with thin criss-cross black lines. Back parts of flanks and dorsal fin black. Caudal and anal fins yellow with black band and edges.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Maldives, India and Sri Lanka to central-eastern Indonesia. Lives in rocky, rubble and coral-rich areas, turbid waters, to 40 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a large range where it is widespread and common. No known threats at this time.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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