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Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) — Chaetodontidae

Butterflyfish

Coradion chrysozonus
LC · Least Concern

The Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–60.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific, on reef slopes with rich growth.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The goldgirdle coralfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches about 15 cm and has a deep, white body with orange-brown cross-bands and a conspicuous eye-spot on the dorsal fin. It inhabits coastal to outer reef slopes with rich invertebrate growth, to about 60 m deep, and also occurs in areas with sparse coral growth. The diet consists of sponges. The species forms pairs during breeding. Through its requirement for rich invertebrate growth it is an indicator of healthy, biodiverse reefs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Butterflyfish?

The Butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Eyespot on the dorsal fin; sponge-eater and indicator of healthy reefs.

Where does the Butterflyfish live?

The Butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific, on reef slopes with rich growth.

How big does the Butterflyfish get?

The Butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Butterflyfish edible?

The Butterflyfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) — Chaetodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Tsu Soo Tan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) — Chaetodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) David R, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) — Chaetodontidae — 4
Timothy E Myer (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Butterflyfish (Coradion chrysozonus) — Chaetodontidae — 5
Nicola Crockford (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Coradion chrysozonus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Goldengirdled coralfish; Golden-girdled coralfish; Goldon-girdled coralfish; Orangebanded coralfish; Orange-banded coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific, on reef slopes with rich growth. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Sponges sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Eyespot on the dorsal fin; sponge-eater and indicator of healthy reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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

Same genus Coradion

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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