Chaetodon auriga Forsskål, 1775
Family: Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes) pChaetodon auriga, Chaetodontidae, Threadfin butterflyfish.
Order: Perciformes (perch-likes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name: Threadfin butterflyfish
Max. size: 23.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 4859)
Environment: reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 1 – 35 m
Climate: tropical; 30°N – 20°S
Importance: fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial; price category: not marketed/unknown
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months(K>1)
Vulnerability: Low vulnerability (11.94), based on Lmax and K (Ref. 59153)
Distribution: Gazetteer Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (extending to Mossel Bay, South Africa, Ref. 5372) to the Hawaiian, Marquesan, and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe and Rapa islands.
Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 12 – 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22 – 25; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19 – 21. There is a pattern of `chevron’ markings on the sides and a prominent black spot at the posterior edge of the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Adults of this species have a prominent black vertical band running across the eye, and a filament trailing posteriorly from the upper soft portion of the dorsal fin. Juveniles with a black bar over the head that hides the eye and an eye-sized black spot on the soft dorsal fin (Ref. 48636).
Biology: May be seen in a variety of habitats ranging from rich coral reefs (Ref. 58652) to weedy and rubble covered areas (Ref. 1602). Engybenthic (Ref. 58302). Maybe found singly, in pairs, and in aggregations that roam over large distances in search of food. Feed mainly by tearing pieces from polychaetes, sea anemones, coral polyps, and algae (Ref. 1602). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Red List Status: Not Evaluated (Ref. 57073)
Dangerous: harmless , Steene, R.C.. 1978
Coordinator: Main Ref: Allen, G.R.. 1985. (Ref. 48