Chelmon marginalis Richardson, 1842
Margined coralfish
Chelmon marginalis
photo by Großkopf, J.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: northern Australia (from Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef) and Papua New Guinea (Ref. 6192). Closely resembles Chelmon rostratus.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 9-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-33; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 21-22. Juveniles have a posterior bar and dorsal fin spot which fade and disappear with growth.
Biology:  Inhabit coastal reefs (Ref. 9710). Usually solitary. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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