Description:

Dorsal spines: 12-13; Dorsal rays: 23-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 20-21.

Butterflyfish with relatively long snout. 
White body with broad yeelow margin dorsally and round through dorsal, caudal and anal fins - these fins with submarginal black and yellow bands. Orange spotting merging 
into a line at base of dorsal fin and onto body below peduncle. Spme orange spotting at base of caudal rays. Narrow black vertical lines on flanks. Two black wedge-shaped 
saddles on back. A black bar from nape through the eye to isthmus, and a black band around the cuadal peduncle. 
 

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 20.0 cm TL
 

Occurs in areas of rich coral growth in lagoons or on seaward reefs usually in current prone habitats (depth 1-15m). There is no data on the diet of this species, but it 
is thought to be an obligate corallivore. Usually seen in pairs or small aggregations. Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding. Distinct pairing. Juveniles secretive in corals.
 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It may get caught in illegal demersal net fishing activities. 

Photo courtesy of GVI/SPGA.

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.

Allen, G. & Myers, R. (2010). Chaetodon falcula. The IUCN Red List 2010: e.T165607A6066720. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165607A6066720.en. (15/06/22).
Bray, D.J. (2022). Chaetodon falcula in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5549 (15/06/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/8014 (15/06/22). 
Smith, M & Heemstra, P Eds. (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4
 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Chaetodon falcula, Blackwedged butterflyfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/chaetodon-falcula-bloch-1795/