Bennett's Butterflyfish, Chaetodon bennetti Click to enlarge image
Bennett's Butterflyfish, Chaetodon bennetti Image: Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Chaetodon
    Species
    bennetti
    Family
    Chaetodontidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 20 cm in length.

Introduction

Bennett's Butterflyfish can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It is found throughout much of the Indo-West Pacific.

Identification

Bennett's Butterflyfish can be recognised by its distinctive colouration. It is yellow with light blue bands curving across the lower sides of the body. A blue-edged black bar passes through the eye.

Distribution

Bennett's Butterflyfish is found throughout much of the Indo-West Pacific.

In Australia it is recorded from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

The species eats coral polyps.

References

  1. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
  2. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  3. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.