Redfin butterflyfish

Redfin butterflyfish also known as Melon butterflyfish

Distribution: Gazetteer Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands. However, the Pacific population has been recognized as a distinct subspecies (Chaetodon trifasciatus lunulatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) by Burgess (Ref. 4855) while according to Randall, pers. comm. 1995, Chaetodon trifasciatus occurs only in the Indian Ocean, while Chaetodon lunulatus occurs only in the Pacific

15.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5372)tropical; 30°N – 30°Sfisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: not marketed/unknown

Chaetodon trifasciatus Park, 1797

Family:

Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)

picture (Chtri_ut.jpg) by Patzner, R. AquaMaps | Point map |

Order:

Perciformes (perch-likes)

Class:

Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)

FishBase name:

Melon butterflyfish

Max. size:

Environment:

reef-associated; marine; depth range 2 – 20 m

Climate:

Importance:

Resilience:

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months(K>1)

Vulnerability:

Low vulnerability (10.00), based on Lmax and K (Ref. 59153)

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Morphology:

Dorsal spines (total): 13 – 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 – 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 – 21. Distinguished by the orange caudal peduncle (Ref. 48636). Tip of caudal fin is transparent.

Biology:

Occur in coral-rich lagoons and semi-protected seaward reefs. Territorial and aggressive to other Chaetodon. Small juveniles secretive in corals (Ref. 48636). Swim in pairs. Feed exclusively on coral polyps, particularly of the Pocillopora type (Ref. 5503, 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).

Red List Status:

Not Evaluated (Ref. 57073)

Dangerous:

harmless

Coordinator:

Main Ref:

Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)