Chaetodon guttatissimus Bennett, 1833
Peppered butterflyfish
Chaetodon guttatissimus
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  12 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Red Sea south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 5372) and east to Christmas Island. Reported from western Thailand (Ref. 9710) and Bali, Indonesia (Ref. 8631).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 16-18. Description: Body pale with close-set dusky spots, forming a vertical pattern on upper sides and horizontal on lower. Yellow margin on dorsal fin with bright orange above the caudal peduncle (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.8-4.0 in HL. Body depth 1.4-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabit lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Occur in pairs or small groups (Ref. 9710, 48636). Feed on polychaetes, coral polyps, and algae (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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