Ornate Butterflyfish, Chaetodon ornatissimus Cuvier, 1831
Introduction
The Ornate Butterflyfish is easily recognised by its colour pattern. Two fish can be viewed 24 seconds into the movie, below.
Identification
The Ornate Butterflyfish is easily recognised by its colour pattern. It usually has six oblique orange stripes on the body, and black and yellow bars on the head. Between the eyes is a greyish triangular mark. The tail has two black bars.
Distribution
The Ornate Butterflyfish is found in tropical marine waters throughout the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from central to 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
It feeds on coral polyps.
References
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.