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Lemon butterfly (Chaetodon miliaris) — Chaetodontidae

Lemon butterfly

Chaetodon miliaris
LC · Least Concern

The Lemon butterfly (Chaetodon miliaris) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–250.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The milletseed butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) endemic to the Hawaiian Islands in the central Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a yellow body with vertical rows of small dark spots, like millet seeds, to which the English name refers, and a black bar across the eye. It inhabits shallow reef flats and forms schools in midwater to eat plankton and benthic invertebrates; also on shallow seamounts. It is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lemon butterfly?

The Lemon butterfly has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Lemon butterfly live?

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

How big does the Lemon butterfly get?

The Lemon butterfly grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Lemon butterfly dangerous to humans?

No, the Lemon butterfly is harmless to humans.

Is the Lemon butterfly edible?

The Lemon butterfly is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hawaii-koraalvlindervis sourced
English name
Lemon butterfly verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon miliaris
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Lemon butterflyfish; Millet butterflyfish; Milletseed butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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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