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Multiband butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus) — Chaetodontidae

Multiband butterflyfish

Chaetodon multicinctus
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–114.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The multiband butterflyfish is a small butterflyfish endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll in the Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a white, disc-shaped body with thin grey-brown cross-bars and rows of orange dots. It lives on clear coral reefs and feeds mainly on coral polyps. Like many butterflyfishes it lives in fixed pairs that jointly defend a feeding territory. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Multiband butterflyfish?

The Multiband butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Multiband butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Multiband butterflyfish get?

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

Is the Multiband butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Multiband butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Multiband butterflyfish edible?

The Multiband butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Veelband-koraalvlinder verified
English name
Multiband butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon multicinctus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Multiband butterflyfish; Pebbled butterfly; Pebbled butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
114.0 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
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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