The Great Fiji Butterflyfish Count

Chaetodon semeion Bleeker, 1855

Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes) picture (Chsem_u8.jpg) by Tanaka, H.
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Dotted butterflyfish

Max. size: 26.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)

Environment: reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 – 30 m

Climate: tropical; 30°N – 25°S

Importance: fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: not marketed/unknown

Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months(Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Vulnerability: Low vulnerability (13.75), based on Lmax and K (Ref. 59153)

Distribution: Gazetteer Indo-Pacific: Maldives to the Tuamoto Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 13 – 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23 – 26; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 – 22. The abdominal region of females is noticeably thick set. Body is golden yellow; base of the posterior portions of the dorsal and anal fins black; a prominent vertical black bar running across the eye; diagonal rows of black dots on the sides. A filament originating from the soft portions of the dorsal fin rays trails posteriorly.

Biology: Uncommon species (Ref. 9710) found in coral rich areas of clear water lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs. Usually in pairs or small groups, more wary than most species. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Red List Status:

Dangerous: harmless