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Citron butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) — Chaetodontidae

Citron butterfly

Chaetodon citrinellus
LC · Least Concern

The Citron butterfly (Chaetodon citrinellus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–36.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The speckled butterflyfish is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a pale-yellow to lemon, disc-shaped body densely covered with fine dark spots, with a dark band over the eye and a dark margin along the anal fin. It is common on shallow, exposed reef flats, lagoons and seaward reefs, in relatively open areas with scattered corals. As an omnivore it feeds on coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae. Butterflyfishes often live in pairs. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Citron butterfly?

The Citron butterfly has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Citron butterfly live?

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

How big does the Citron butterfly get?

The Citron butterfly grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Citron butterfly dangerous to humans?

No, the Citron butterfly is harmless to humans.

Is the Citron butterfly edible?

The Citron butterfly is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Citroenkoraalvlinder sourced
English name
Citron butterfly verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon citrinellus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Citron butterflyfish; Citron coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
36.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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