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Oriental butterflyfish (Chaetodon auripes) — Chaetodontidae

Oriental butterflyfish

Chaetodon auripes

The Oriental butterflyfish (Chaetodon auripes) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Oriental butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, disc-shaped body with a small, pointed mouth. The yellow body bears oblique dark lines, a black band through the eye and a white tinge behind the head. As a reef-dweller it searches coral and rocky reefs for coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae; many species live in pairs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Oriental butterflyfish?

The Oriental butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Oriental butterflyfish live?

The Oriental butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Oriental butterflyfish get?

The Oriental butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Oriental butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Oriental butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Oriental butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Oriental butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oosterse koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Oriental butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon auripes
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Oriental butterflyfish; Oriental Butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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