Latin name

Chaetodon selene

Other names

Moon Coralfish

Identification

They have a tall body compressed at the sides, a small terminal retractable mouth, armed with small bristle-like teeth, sometimes with three-pronged spines.

Features of fish fins

These fish have 12 spines and 20-22 soft rays in the dorsal fin, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 18-19 soft rays. 

Fish colouring

They have a whitish body mottled with diagonal lines of grayish spots. A vertical black stripe with yellow edges runs across the eye, and another vertical black stripe runs from the dorsal fin through the caudal peduncle to the anal fin. The dorsal, anal, and anterior portion of the caudal fin are yellow. The black stripes are more prominent in juveniles, but as they mature they fade and the underlying yellow coloration becomes more prominent, changing the visible color of the stripes to a brownish color. The posterior vertical stripe also elongates with age and runs parallel to the base of the dorsal fin towards the eye stripe, almost reaching it.

Distribution

Occurs in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Occurs throughout the Indo-Malayan region from northern Java eastward to the north coast of Papua New Guinea and northward to Taiwan and on to the Ryukyu Islands and Kashiwa-jima in southern Japan.

Habitat

Tropical marine species. They inhabit nearshore reefs, usually on rocky slopes, at depths of 8-50 meters (26-164 feet). 

Size

This small butterflyfish reaches a maximum total length of 16 centimeters (6.3 inches).

Behavior

Fish are usually found in pairs, but juveniles can be found alone near coral ledges, while adults prefer gravel or sandy bottoms. 

Food and feeding habits

They feed on shellfish, seaweed, and a variety of other bottom dwelling invertebrates, as well as small amounts of algae. They also eat coral polyps.

Reproduction

Egg-laying fish. Form pairs during reproduction.

Fishing

Have little commercial importance in the fishery.

Relationship with a person

Spectacular colorful aquarium fish.