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Brownbanded butterflyfish (Chaetodon modestus) — Chaetodontidae

Brownbanded butterflyfish

Chaetodon modestus

The Brownbanded butterflyfish (Chaetodon modestus) is a fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Pacific; deeper rocky and coral bottoms.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The brownbanded butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the western Pacific. The species has a deep, silvery-white body with a few broad orange-brown crossbars and a conspicuous eyespot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It occurs on deeper rocky and coral bottoms, deeper than many related butterflyfishes. It feeds on small zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. It lives solitary or in pairs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brownbanded butterflyfish?

The Brownbanded butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Orange-brown vertical bars and an eyespot on the dorsal fin; butterflyfish of deeper bottoms.

Where does the Brownbanded butterflyfish live?

The Brownbanded butterflyfish is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific; deeper rocky and coral bottoms.

How big does the Brownbanded butterflyfish get?

The Brownbanded butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 17 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Brownbanded butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brownbanded butterflyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Brownbanded butterflyfish edible?

The Brownbanded butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Brownbanded butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon modestus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Oriental butterflyfish; Golden butterflyfish

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17 verified
Average length (cm)
12 sourced
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White
Pattern
Vertical bars
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thick / fleshy
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Western Pacific; deeper rocky and coral bottoms.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton and small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Orange-brown vertical bars and an eyespot on the dorsal fin; butterflyfish of deeper bottoms. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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