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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🌡️ Tropical

Melon butterflyfish

Chaetodon trifasciatus Park, 1797
Max Length
15 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Typical Length
12 cm
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

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

Scientific Name
Chaetodon trifasciatus
Authority
Park, 1797
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
15 cm
Latitude
30°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
10.00/100
Migration
Non-migratory
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 - 21. : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Melon butterflyfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Melon butterflyfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
13.8cm TL

Distinct pairing . Monogamous mating is observed as obligate, geentic and social .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory ; depth range ? - 30 m . Tropical; 30°N - 30°S East Africa and islands of western and central Indian Ocean to Andaman Sea, Cocos-Keeling Islands, Christmas Island, and western Indonesia (western Sumatra, Java, Bali ad Nusa Penida).

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Migration
Non-migratory
Trophic Level
3.3±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02344 × L3.05 (TL)
Max TL
15cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
21
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
20

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Body Shape
Short and / or deep
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 30°S
Described By
Park, 1797

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