Saddle Butterflyfish, Chaetodon ephippium (Cuvier, 1831)
Black-blotched Butterfly-fish, Saddleback Butterflyfish, Saddled Butterflyfish
Introduction
The Saddle Butterflyfish can be recognised by the large white-bordered black area on the upper side below the dorsal fin. The species occurs in marine tropical waters of the Western and Central Pacific.
Identification
The Saddle Butterflyfish can be recognised by the large white-bordered black area on the upper side below the dorsal fin. The body is grey with blue-grey stripes across the lower sides. The breast and snout are yellow. Adults have a filament extending from the back of the dorsal fin.
Distribution
It occurs in marine tropical waters of the Western and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central coast of Western Australia, around the tropical north and south to the northern coast of New South Wales.
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.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.