Latticed Butterflyfish

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Description

Also known as Coralfishes, Chaetodon rafflesii, Rafflessi Butterflyfish, Raffles Butterflyfish and Latticed Coralfish.

Found singly or in pairs in shallow waters on sheltered coastal reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes.
They feed on coral polyps, tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas-tree worms.
Length - 15cm
Depth - 0-15m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Butterflyfish and angelfish are members of the bristletooth family (Chaetodontidae) they have very fine hairlike teeth that enable them to pick out small organisms inaccessible to most other fish for eating.
Butterflyfishes thrive on a diet of coral polyps, tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas-tree worms. As these food sources all zap back into their shells the butterflyfishes need to be able to hover motionless while picking at the coral and to dart swiftly over short distances to get the worm before it retracts. They do this by using their Pectoral fins as oars to brake, sprint, turn and even reverse.

Fishy Stats

Length: 15cm
Depth: 0-15m
Found: Indo-Pacific
Eats: Coral polyps, tentacles of featherdusters and Christmas-tree worms.
Family: Butterflyfishes
Species: Chaetodontidae

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