Golden Semilarvatus Butterflyfish
Golden Semilarvatus Butterflyfish
Regular price
$229.99 USD
Regular price
Sale price
$229.99 USD
Unit price
/
per
Golden Semilarvatus Butterflyfish
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chaetodon semilarvatus
Overview
Reef Compatible: WITH CAUTION
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Docile
Origin: Africa/Red Sea
Chaetodon semilarvatus, commonly known as the blue-cheeked butterflyfish, is a striking marine fish found in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Let’s dive into some fascinating details about this beautiful creature:
-
Appearance:
- The blue-cheeked butterflyfish boasts a bright yellow body adorned with thin vertical red lines.
- Unlike most related species, it lacks an eye bar and instead has a greyish patch behind its eyes.
- Its dorsal, anal, pelvic, and caudal fins are also yellow.
- While it can reach a maximum total length of 23 centimeters (9.1 inches), a more typical size is around 15 centimeters (5.9 inches).
-
Habitat and Behavior:
- These butterflyfish thrive in areas with rich coral growth, often found near the bottom.
- They are frequently seen in pairs or small shoals.
- Interestingly, blue-cheeked butterflyfish are one of the few fish species that form long-term mates.
- Their diet includes hard corals and benthic invertebrates.
- Occasionally, they hover in a stationary position beneath ledges of plate corals (genus Acropora).
-
Systematics and Etymology:
- The scientific name Chaetodon semilarvatus was first described by French anatomist Georges Cuvier in 1831.
- The genus name Chaetodon combines the Greek words for “hair” (khaite) and “tooth” (odous), referring to the bristle-shaped teeth.
- Blue-cheeked butterflyfish belongs to the subgenus Rabdophorus, which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus.
- Although it lacks the typical eyestripe of Chaetodon, it shares the tell-tale blue vertical lines with related species like the blackback butterflyfish and the spot-naped butterflyfish.
These vibrant fish add a splash of color to the coral reefs they inhabit, making them a delightful sight for divers and underwater enthusiasts. 🐠🌊
Share
1 review
1 review