Lattice Butterflyfish, Chaetodon rafflesii (Bennett, 1830)

Introduction

The Lattice Butterflyfish has a yellow body with black scale margins that create a lattice effect. It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific.

Identification

The Lattice Butterflyfish has a yellow body with black scale margins that create a lattice effect. A black bar passes through the eye and there is a submarginal black band on the rear of the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is yellow with a black bar.

Habitat

Latticed Butterflyfish typically inhabit sheltered inshore and outer reefs, and lagoons with abundant coral. It is found in depths from 1 m to 15 m.

Distribution

It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific, from Sri Lanka, north to Japan, south to Australia and east to the Tuamoto Islands. In Australia it is known from off north-western Western Australia and the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

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.

Feeding and diet

The Lattice Butterflyfish feeds on coral polyps, sea anemones and polychaetes.

Other behaviours and adaptations

This fish is often seen in pairs or as solitary individuals.

References

1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 220.
2. Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
4. Myers, R.F. 1999. Micronesian Reef Fishes. Coral Graphics. Pp. 330.
5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 251.