Threadfin Butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga (Forsskål, 1775)

ANIMAL SPECIES:Threadfin Butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga (Forsskål, 1775)

The Threadfin Butterflyfish has a filament trailing from the soft dorsal fin of adults. The species occurs in tropical waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific.

Alternative Name/s

Threadfin Coralfish

Identification

The Threadfin Butterflyfish can be recognised by its colouration and by the filament trailing from the soft dorsal fin of adults.

The body is white with dark chevron-shaped markings. The rear of the body and caudal peduncle are yellow. There is a dark spot on the soft dorsal fin and a black bar through the eye.

Size range

It grows to 20 cm in length.

Distribution

The species occurs in marine waters of the Indo-west and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south to the southern coast of New South Wales.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Threadfin Butterflyfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is usually seen in coral reef and inshore waters.

Classification

Species:: auriga
Genus:: Chaetodon
Family:: Chaetodontidae
Order:: Perciformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

References

Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 10 August 2010

Share: