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Marquesas butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) — Chaetodontidae

Marquesas butterflyfish

Chaetodon declivis

The Marquesas butterflyfish (Chaetodon declivis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–23.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Marquesas butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from reef water of the tropical Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, yellow-white with a dark band body with a small, pointed snout. As a day-active fish it swims along coral and rocky reefs and picks polyps, small invertebrates and algae with its snout-like mouth. It often lives in pairs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Marquesas butterflyfish?

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

Where does the Marquesas butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Marquesas butterflyfish get?

The Marquesas butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Marquesas butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Marquesas butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Marquesas butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Marquesas butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Marquesas-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Marquesas butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon declivis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Marquesas butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 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
Max depth (m)
23.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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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