Description:

Dorsal spines: 13; Dorsal rays: 23-25; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 19-22. 

Butterflyfish with modertaley long snout. White body with two series of narrow dark oblique lines set at right angles to each other. Rear portion of body, soft dorsal, 
caudal and anal fins yellow.  Broad black band through the eye and yellow horizontal cross the interorbital area. A second black band from the dorsal fin through the 
caudal peduncle that stops half way through the anal fin. A third band through the middle of caudal fin. Edge of dorsal fin black. Posterior of caudal and anal fins 
with submarginal black line. Juveniles also have a black spot at the rear of the dorsal fin.

Maturity: Unknown. Max length: 23.0 cm TL, common length : 15.0 cm TL.
 

Inhabits most coral reef habitats from inner coastal reef flats to outer seaward slopes (depth 1-30 m). It tolerates a range of environmental conditions, including 
turbid waters and freshwater influxes near stream mouths. Occurs singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Omnivorus feeding on anemones, coral polyps, polychaete worms and algae.
Oviparous. Distinct pairing. Stable monogamous pairs with both jointly defending a feeding territory. 

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It may on occasion be caught in nets but would likely be relased on capture.  

Photo Courtsey and (c) 2021 GVI/SPGA.
 

Bray, D.J. Chaetodon vagabundus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/2405 (24/06/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. Eds. (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.de/summary/5582 (24/06/22).
McGrouther, M. (2019). Vagabond Butterflyfish, Chaetodon vagabundus Linnaeus, 1758. https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/vagabond-butterflyfish-chaetodon-vagabundus/ (24/06/22). 
Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. (2010). Chaetodon vagabundus. The IUCN Red List 2010: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165630A6073181.en. (24/06/22). 

Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Chaetodon vagabundus, Vagabond butterflyfish . Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/chaetodon-vagabundus-linnaeus-1758/