Sunburst butterflyfish
📖 Overview
Adults occur in deeper lagoons and channels, and seaward reefs . Benthopelagic . Depth 2-61 m, usually below 10 m . They Occur singly or in pairs . Common, omnivorous individuals that feed mainly on soft coral polyps (mainly on Sarcophyton tracheliophorum and Litophyton viridis), algae and zooplankton. Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 23; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 17 - 20; Vertebrae: 24. Body is yellowish brown with two broad white vertical bars running across the body one from near the origin of the dorsal spine and the other from the middle of the back. A black bar runs vertically across the eye. There are numerous dotted horizontal stripes on the sides. The margin of caudal fin is transparent . Snout length 2.5-3.2 in HL. Body depth 1.5-1.8 in SL .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sunburst butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing . Monogamous mating is observed as both obligate and social .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range 0 - 90 m , usually 10 - ? m . Tropical; 30°N - 32°S, 29°E - 130°W West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (south to Coffee Bay, South Africa, Ref.
🌿 Ecology
soft coral polyps (mainly on Sarcophyton tracheliophorum and Litophyton viridis), algae and zooplank
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anisochaetodon kleinii | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon bellulus | Thiollière | 1857 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon cingulatus | Fowler | 1934 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon corallicola | Snyder | 1904 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon flavescens | Bennett | 1831 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon melammystax | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon melastomus | Bloch & Schneider | 1801 | Synonym |
| Chaetodon virescens | Cuvier | 1831 | Synonym |
| Choetodon kleinii | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
| Exornator exornator kleinii | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
| Tetragonoptrus kleini | Bloch | 1790 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Sunburst butterflyfish.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 36 records indexed .
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