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Family
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Species Currently in the DFL
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About This Family
Distribution:
Tropical to temperate regions of the world's oceans, with the majority of species occuring in the Indo-West Pacific.
Habitat:
Shallow waters usually at depths less than 20 m, but also to least 200 m, usually on coral or rocky reefs.
Remarks:
Butterflyfishes have strongly compressed bodies and bands of brush-like teeth. They lack a spine at the angle of the preopercle to contrast with the similar angelfishes (Pomacanthidae). Most are bright in color and many are in the aquarium trade. They usually swim in pairs or small groups during the day. Their diet consists of coral polyps, tubeworms, other small invertebrates, and algae.
The family Chaetodontidae contains 11 genera and approximately 122 species.
References:
Burgess, pp. 1663-1672, in: Carpenter 2002;
Helfman et al. 1997;
Nelson 2006