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.
Raffles Butterfly
01360
Butterflies
Raffles Butterfly
Chaetodon rafflesii
Care:
IntermediateDiet:
OmnivorousLight:
MediumPlace of origin:
MelanesiaWidespread West Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean to Sri Lanka. Occurs on rich coastal reef flats with good hydroid growth. Adults nearly always in pairs. Identified by its greenish-yellow body and lattice-like pattern made by the dark scale outlines. Length to 18cm, usually 15cm.
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