Yellowhead butterflyfish

Yellowhead butterflyfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
Species: C. xanthocephalus
Binomial name
Chaetodon xanthocephalus
E. T. Bennett, 1833

Chaetodon xanthocephalus, known commonly as the Yellowhead butterflyfish, is a species of marine fish in the family Chaetodontidae.

Distribution

The Yellowhead butterflyfish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.[2]

Description

The Yellowhead butterflyfish is a small size fish and can reach a maximum size of 20 cm length .[3] Overall color is white to pale grey with a series of five to six darker lines shaped in broad V's across the body. The head is covered by a broad yellow band and the dorsal and anal fins are mostly yellow.[4]

Habitat

The Yellowhead butterflyfish is found at depths between 1 and 30m. Usually solitary, but may form loose shoals of 5-6 individuals and usually found around isolated coral heads. Territorial and aggressive to other chaetodonts; omnivorous.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Chaetodon xanthocephalus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 10 September 2013.
  2. ↑ http://eol.org/pages/213607/details#distribution
  3. ↑ http://www.fishbase.org/summary/7794
  4. ↑ http://www.fishbase.org/summary/7794
  5. ↑ http://www.fishbase.org/summary/7794


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