Latin name

Chaetodon wiebeli

Other name

Wiebel's butterflyfish, blackcap butterflyfish.

Identification

Chaetodon wiebeli was first officially described in 1863 by the German ichthyologist Johann Jakob Kaup (1803-1873), and its habitat was listed as Canton in China. The species is named after Kaup's friend, naturalist and one of the founders of the Hamburg Zoological Museum, Karl Maximilian Wiebel (1808-1888).

The Hong Kong butterflyfish has an oval, deep and highly compressed body, a head equal in height to its width, a short snout with a small elongated mouth equipped with set teeth in the jaws. These teeth are mentioned in the name of the genus Chaetodon, which means "bristle tooth". The fish has a smooth front surface without any noticeable spines. 

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin has a total of 12-13 spines and 22-25 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18-20 soft rays. 

Fish colouring

The colouration is mostly yellow with oblique brown lines. A vertical black stripe runs across the eye with a white stripe behind it and a black patch on the forehead. The dorsal, anal, pelvic and caudal fins are yellow, although the caudal fin has a black edge.

Distribution

Widespread in the western Pacific from southern Japan and South Korea to northern Java and the Gulf of Thailand.

Habitat

A marine tropical species. Inhabits both rocky and coral reefs. They can be found at depths of 4 to 25 metres (13 to 82 feet).

Size

The maximum length of these fish is 19 centimetres.

Behavior

Usually found in pairs and small flocks, but can be solitary. 

Food and feeding habits

Their diet consists of coral polyps and benthic invertebrates. Their main method of feeding is to collect algae from the rocks.

Reproduction

It is an egg-laying species that forms pairs during breeding.

Fishing

This species is commercially important in fisheries.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.