Home · Chaetodontidae · Highfin coralfish
Highfin coralfish (Coradion altivelis) — Chaetodontidae

Highfin coralfish

Coradion altivelis

The Highfin coralfish (Coradion altivelis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The highfin coralfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a deep, white body with a few broad orange-brown vertical bands, a tall dorsal fin and an eyespot on the rear dorsal fin. As a reef-dweller it lives on coral-rich reefs and picks mainly sponges, coral polyps and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highfin coralfish?

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

Where does the Highfin coralfish live?

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

How big does the Highfin coralfish get?

The Highfin coralfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Highfin coralfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Highfin coralfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Highfin coralfish edible?

Yes, the Highfin coralfish is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoogvin-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Highfin coralfish sourced
Scientific name
Coradion altivelis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
High-fin butterflyfish; High-fin coral fish; Highfin coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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 Coradion

More from the family Chaetodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →