Latin name

Chaetodon guttatissimus

Other name

Chaetodon guttatissimus

Identification

The Peppered Butterflyfish has a laterally compressed, large body and a small, terminal, retractable mouth armed with small bristle-like teeth.

Features of fish fins

The dorsal fin has 12-13 spines and 22-24 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 16-18 soft rays. 

Fish colouring

The fish is silvery white in color with irregular vertical rows of dark spots or blotches on the flanks, shifting to a more horizontal plane on the lower flanks. A thin vertical dark band runs across the eye. There is an orange stripe on the back of the dorsal fin that extends to the top of the caudal fin. The caudal fin has a black subpectoral stripe and the dorsal fin has a yellow edge.

Distribution

It inhabits the Indian Ocean, where its range extends from the East African coast, where it occurs from Somalia to South Africa, and across the Indian Ocean to Bali in Indonesia and the Australian territories of Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. It seems to avoid the mainland coasts of South Asia, but can be found in the Maldives, off Sri Lanka, the Indian Andaman Islands, the Nicobar Islands, and other islands in the Andaman Sea.

Habitat

A tropical marine species associated with reefs. Its depth range is from 3 to 30 meters.

Size

This fish reaches a maximum length of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches).

Behavior

It inhabits coral-rich areas of lagoons and seaward reef slopes, where it lives either solitary or in pairs. They can be found in small schools. 

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on invertebrates such as polychaetes and algae. However, the majority of its diet consists of coral polyps and it can be an coral eater.

Reproduction

It is an egg-laying species that breeds in pairs.

Fishing

This species is commercially important for fishing.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. Delicate dragons can be found in the aquarium trade.