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Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) — Chaetodontidae

Blackback butterflyfish

Chaetodon melannotus
Family: Chaetodontidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
25 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blackback butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a white body with oblique yellow lines and a conspicuous black dorsal patch, to which the name refers; at night the colour can pale strongly. It usually lives solitarily or in pairs in coral-rich parts of reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs to about 15 m deep. Juveniles live close inshore. It feeds mainly on the polyps of soft and stony coral. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackback butterflyfish?

The Blackback butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Striking black dorsal patch that pales at night; coral polyp eater, often lives in pairs.

Where does the Blackback butterflyfish live?

The Blackback butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs.

How big does the Blackback butterflyfish get?

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

Is the Blackback butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackback butterflyfish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackback butterflyfish edible?

The Blackback butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) — Chaetodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Ashley Parr, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) — Chaetodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Leonard Low from Australia (CC BY 2.0)
Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) — Chaetodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) joseph_dibattista, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) — Chaetodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Craig Peter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackback butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon melannotus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Blackback butterflyfish; Black-back butterflyfish; Black-backed butterflyfish; Blackbacked butterflyfish; Black-backed butterfly fish; Black-backed coralfish; Butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-Pacific; coral-rich reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly coral polyps sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
20.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Striking black dorsal patch that pales at night; coral polyp eater, often lives in pairs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

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Fin

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