The members of the family Chaetodontidae, popularly know as butterflyfishes, coralfishes and bannerfishes. Most species of butterflyfish live in the warm tropical seas of the Indo-Pacific (about 90%) with the remainder in the Atlantic. Only a few species are found in subtropical waters, bordering onto subtemperate zones. The butterflyfish have a highly compressed body in which the back is raised , forming an elongate-oval to near circular shape in some; a small protactible mouth with brush-like teeth in the jaws; a continuous dorsal fin with strong and sharp spines in the anterior section, followed by a large-surface soft part; an anal fin mirroring the soft part of the dorsal fin , headed by 3-5 strong spines, of which the 2nd is often greatly enlarged.
Falcula Butterfly
01100
Butterflies
Falcula Butterfly
Chaetodon falcula
Care:
BeginnerDiet:
OmnivorousLight:
MediumPlace of origin:
Western Indian OceanWidespread Indian Ocean. Adults in pairs, found in various reef habitats from lagoons to outer reef walls. Usually in current-prone habitats. Small juveniles secretive in corals. Distinctly marked with bright yellow and orange over the back and tail. Two well defined black saddles on the back and a black bar on the base of the caudal fin. Length 18cm.
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