Chaetodon falcula

(Bloch, 1795)

Vernacular names
English : Blackwedged butterflyfish
French : Poisson papillon faucille

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

Identification
Adults can reach a maximum length of 20 cm. Coloration pinkish white with thin vertical lines on flanks, yellow upper flanks and dorsal fin. Two broad black saddles on back and flanks. Back of body and fins bright yellow, black dot on tail.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Indian Ocean from east Africa to western coasts of Thailand and Java (Indonesia). Absent from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Lives mostly in coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reefs, down to 15 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still common in the wild but seems to be highly dependent on corals, making it possibly threatened by habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Butterflyfishes” page