Latin name

Chaetodon dialeucos

Other name

Chaetodon dialeucos

Identification

Medium-sized fish with a very laterally compressed, high body, small terminal mouth, armed with small bristle-like teeth. Vertebrae: 24. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21 - 22; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 19.

The caudal fin is slightly rounded. The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 21-22 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 19 soft rays. 

Fish colouring

The body of the Oman butterflyfish is greyish and the edges of the scales are dark brown. There is a broad vertical white stripe on the back of the head and the mouth is white. The caudal fin is black. Juveniles have a sharp white stripe behind the eye and a white caudal fin.

Distribution

It is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean in the Arabian Sea along the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in Yemen and Oman.

Habitat

Tropical marine species. It inhabits rocky and coral reefs and coral beds on soft sandy bottoms at depths of 5 to 25 metres (16 to 82 feet). 

Size

This species reaches a maximum total length of 18 centimetres.

Behavior

The Oman butterflyfish is diurnal.

Food and feeding habits

Their diet consists of coral polyps, sea anemones, worms, crustaceans and algae.

Reproduction

It is an egg-laying species that forms pairs to spawn. The eggs are laid directly into the water without being attached to any substrate, after which they become part of the marine plankton.

Fishing

Oman butterflyfish are not a commercial fishery.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. It is recommended that only experienced aquarists keep these fish.