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Spotnape butterflyfish (Chaetodon oxycephalus) — Chaetodontidae

Spotnape butterflyfish

Chaetodon oxycephalus

The Spotnape butterflyfish (Chaetodon oxycephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–40.0 m
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Spotnape butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, disc-shaped body with a small, pointed mouth. The white body bears fine dark longitudinal lines, a broad black eye band and a dark spot on the nape. 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 Spotnape butterflyfish?

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

Where does the Spotnape butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Spotnape butterflyfish get?

The Spotnape butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Spotnape butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotnape butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotnape butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Spotnape butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitskop-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Spotnape butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon oxycephalus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Pig-face butterflyfish; Spotnape butterflyfish; Spot-nape butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 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)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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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