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Diagonal butterflyfish (Chaetodon fasciatus) — Chaetodontidae

Diagonal butterflyfish

Chaetodon fasciatus
LC · Least Concern

The Diagonal butterflyfish (Chaetodon fasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The diagonal butterflyfish is a butterflyfish from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a deep, yellow body with a series of oblique, diagonal dark lines, a black eye band and a black band across the tail base. As a reef-dweller it searches in pairs among coral for polyps, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Diagonal butterflyfish?

The Diagonal butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Diagonal butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Diagonal butterflyfish get?

The Diagonal butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Diagonal butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Diagonal butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Diagonal butterflyfish edible?

The Diagonal butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diagonaalband-koraalvlinder verified
English name
Diagonal butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon fasciatus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Diagonal-lined butterflyfish; Red sea butter flyfish; Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish; Red Sea racoon butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 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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