Western Talma, Chelmonops curiosus (Kuiter, 1986)
It is also been called the Truncate Coralfish, Coral Fish, Truncate Butterflyfish, Southern Butterflyfish and Squareback Butterflyfish.
The Western Talma resembles the Eastern Talma. The Western Talma can be distinguished by its longer dorsal and anal fins, and deeper body.
Click to enlarge image
© Phil Mercurio
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Chelmonops
- Species
- curiosus
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to 26 cm in length.
Introduction
The Western Talma is a deep bodied, compressed fish with a long pointed snout and high dorsal and anal fins. It is silvery with five black bars. The species occurs from South Australia to the central coast of Western Australia.
Identification
The Western Talma is a deep bodied, compressed fish with a long pointed snout and high dorsal and anal fins. It is silvery with five black bars. The ventral fins are black with a leading white edge.
A juvenile Western Talma at a depth of 4m, Port Hughes Jetty, South Australia, 7 May 2011.
Image: Phil Mercurio© Phil Mercurio
Habitat
It is usually found on coastal rocky reefs.
Distribution
The species occurs from South Australia to the central coast of Western Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1986. A new species of butterflyfish, Chelmonops curiosus, from Australia's south coast. Revue Francaise d'Aquariologie. 13(3): 73-78.
- Kuiter, R.H. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
