Chaetodon zanzibarensis Playfair, 1867
Zanzibar butterflyfish
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 - 40 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: East Africa south to Durban, South Africa (Ref. 5372). Also found in oceanic islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 15-17. Black spot with white or bluish edges on its sides (Ref. 5372).
Biology:  Usually seen alone or in pairs (specially during spawning) but occasionally in small groups, particularly in the vicinity of staghorn Acropora and Goniopora (Ref. 5503) thickets. Diet consists of live corals which makes it difficult to maintain in captivity (Ref. 4858). Little intraspecific nor interspecific aggressiveness (Ref. 5503). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). 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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