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White-fronted butterflyfish (Chaetodon mesoleucos) — Chaetodontidae

White-fronted butterflyfish

Chaetodon mesoleucos

The White-fronted butterflyfish (Chaetodon mesoleucos) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The White-fronted butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, disc-shaped body with a small, pointed mouth. The forebody is white and the rear body dark, with a yellow tail region. 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 White-fronted butterflyfish?

The White-fronted butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the White-fronted butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the White-fronted butterflyfish get?

The White-fronted butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the White-fronted butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the White-fronted butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witvoorhoofd-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
White-fronted butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon mesoleucos
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
White-face butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 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

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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