Chaetodon decussatus Cuvier, 1829
Indian vagabond butterflyfish
Indian vagabond butterflyfish,  Paru-paro,  Alibang-bang,  Alibangbang,  Kapiged
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Sea and the westernmost portion of the Indo-Malayan Archipelago.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-25; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-21. Description: Most of dorsal fin black and caudal fin with black vertical bands (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.8-3.4 in HL. Body depth 1.4-1.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found on rich coral reefs, also on rubble and rocky areas. Adults in pairs, juveniles solitary. Closely related to C. vagabundus (Ref. 48636). Home ranging (Ref. 90102). Feeds largely on algae and coral polyps, but captive ones will accept a wide variety of food. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). Excellent aquarium fish.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Recorded from Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756). Also Ref. 121724.


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