Chaetodon auriga

(Forsskal, 1775)

Vernacular names
English : Threadfin butterflyfish
French : Poisson papillon cocher

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

Identification
Adults can reach 23 cm in length. Black mask, long snout. Body color pearly to grey-white with criss-cross black bands. Rear third of body bright yellow with black dot on dorsal fin and small filament-like extension running from tip of dorsal fin.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and Marquesas islands. Red Sea population formerly different subspecies. Lives in coral reefs, rocky reefs, rubble areas with algae, to 60 meters deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a huge range but declines have been observed locally because of coral reef destruction. Caught in big numbers for the trade.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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