Atoll butterflyfish

Facts

Scientific name:

Chaetodon mertensii

Biology:

Inhabit deep lagoons and seaward reefs. Occur singly or in pairs. Feed on algae and small benthic invertebrates . Oviparous . Form pairs during breeding . May hybridize with C. xanthurus .

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

Threat to humans:

Harmless

Photos & Description

License type:

CC-BY-NC

Source:

http://eol.org/data_objects/21022336

License type:

CC-BY

Author:

Jeffrey T. Williams

Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chaetodon_mertensii.jpg

License type:

CC-BY

Author:

Ian V. Shaw / Reef Life Survey

Source:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ChaetodonMertensiijuvRLS.jpg

See my photos of this species See photos of this specie from other users

Short description:

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines : 3; Anal soft rays : 16 - 17. Body color is white with 4-5 chevron-shaped blackish bands on the sides. The posterior portion of the trunk, the adjacent dorsal and anal fins, and the posterior portion of the caudal fin are yellow. A vertical black bar runs (uninterrupted) across the eye.

Size / Weight / Age:

Maturity: L m &nbsp ? &nbsp range ? - ? cm Max length : 12.5 cm TL male/unsexed;