Chaetodon mitratus (Günther, 1860)
>
Chaetodon mitratus (Günther, 1860)
Genus: ,

Scientific Name: Chaetodon mitratus

English Name: Indian butterflyfish

Creole Name: Papiyon

French Name: Papillon à mitre

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC)

Description:

Dorsal spines: 8; Dorsal rays: 18-20; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 14-15.

Body subrhomboidal. Dorsal profile of head concave. Terminal mouth. 6-7 rows of long setiform teeth on both jaws and large, dense vomerine patch. Edge of peropercle finely serrated.

Colour. Base colour yellow. A black band, edged in white, runs through the eye and over the head. Two broad oblique, white-edged, black bands on the body. Soft dorsal fin 
orange with white edge and black submarginal line. Caudal peduncle yellow. Caudal fin rays and pectoral fins transparent. 
 


Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 14.0 cm SL. 


Habitat and Ecology:

One of the few Butterflyfish species to frequent deeper waters. Inhabits steep outer reef slopes and drop-offs (depth 22-80 m, usually 50-70 m) with coral and/or rubble areas. 
Feeds on benthic invertebrates and zooplankton. Usually occurs in pairs or small groups. Oviparous. Form pairs during breeding.
 


Fishery Status:

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery. 


Notes:

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


References:

Bray, D.J. (2015). Chaetodon mitratus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/4834 (11/07/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.in/summary/8927 (11/07/22). 
Guézé, P. & Maugé, L.A. (1976). "Redécouverte de Chaetodon mitratus Gunther (Pisces: Chaetodontidae)." https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/pleins_textes_5/pt5/travaux_d/29298.pdf (11/07/22).  
Pyle, R. et al. (2010). Chaetodon mitratus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165666A6085100.en. (11/07/22).


Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2022). Chaetodon mitratus, Indian butterflyfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/chaetodon-mitratus-gunther-1860/


Upload your videos
Share this post

Comments (1101)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Start typing and press Enter to search

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Shopping Cart