Sixspine butterflyfish (Parachaetodon ocellatus)

Latin name

Parachaetodon ocellatus

Other name

Parachaetodon ocellatus

Identification

Six-spined butterflyfish have deep, narrow bodies from the sides. They have continuous dorsal and caudal fins that are never bifurcated. 

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 28 - 30; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 18 - 20.

Fish colouring

The six-spined butterflyfish has a triangular dorsal fin that is predominantly yellow. The body is white with five brown or orange stripes. The first of these runs across the eye and is orange with a black border. The stripe that begins below the centre of the dorsal fin has a dark spot at the base of the fin. There is another black oval mark with a silver leading edge on the tail peduncle. A paler stripe runs along the edge of the dorsal and anal fins.

Distribution

Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region: Ogasawara Island (Bonin) to Australia, also from Malaysia.

Habitat

Marine tropical species associated with reefs. Depths from 5 to 40 metres.

Size

The maximum length of this species is 18 cm.

Behavior

They occur in pairs on shallow sandy or muddy bottoms of inshore reefs. Adults congregate in large numbers on open muddy areas in deep water. Juveniles sometimes appear in large lagoons overgrown with algae at depths of about 5 m or more.

Food and feeding habits

Their diet consists of small benthic invertebrates and possibly some sponges.

Reproduction

Laying eggs, forming pairs during reproduction.

Fishing

Sixspine butterflyfish are not commercially important in the fishery.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.