Asian butterflyfish (Chaetodon argentatus)

Latin name

Chaetodon argentatus

Other name

Three band butterflyfish, black pearlscaled butterflyfish.

Identification

The Asian butterflyfish is a fish with a large body compressed at the sides, a small terminal retractable mouth armed with small bristle-like teeth.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin has 13-14 spines and 21-22 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 15-16 soft rays. 

Fish colouring

The Asian butterflyfish has a silver coloured body marked with a grid of diagonal black lines forming a reticulated pattern. There are also two black saddle marks with a black vertical stripe on the back of the body, running from the soft radial part of the dorsal fin to a similar part of the anal fin.

Distribution

Found in the western Pacific Ocean, where they range from the Ryukyu and Izu islands in southern Japan south to the northern Philippines and east to Taiwan.

Habitat

Marine tropical species. Depths from 5 to 20 metres. The Asian butterflyfish can be found on the outer slopes of coral or rocky reefs and cliffs. Off southern Japan it inhabits rocky areas, but in the more southerly parts of its range it is associated with coral reefs. 

Size

This species reaches a maximum total length of 20 centimetres.

Behavior

Asian butterflyfish are usually seen in pairs or small schools. They do not migrate.

Food and feeding habits

Asian butterflyfish are omnivorous and feed on filamentous algae, crustaceans, worms, sponges, bivalves, soft and hard corals, hydroids and other invertebrates.

Reproduction

It is an egg-laying species that forms pairs to reproduce.

Fishing

The species is of little commercial importance to fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.