Chaetodon leucopleura Playfair, 1867
Somali butterflyfish
Chaetodon leucopleura
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 7 - 75 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Farsan Archipelago of the southern Red Sea and East Africa south to Zanzibar in Tanzania; including the Aldabra Islands and Seychelles.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-19
Biology:  The species apparently prefers deeper water, in deep coral rich reefs, often near base of slopes over coral rubble. Usually solitary or in pairs over open bottoms. Uncommon (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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