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Pinstriped butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) — Chaetodontidae

Pinstriped butterflyfish

Chaetodon lunulatus

The Pinstriped butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–60.0 m
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pinstriped butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 27 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, disc-shaped body with a small, pointed mouth. The body bears fine orange longitudinal lines and a dark rear margin; it feeds almost exclusively on coral polyps and often pairs. As a reef-dweller it searches coral and rocky reefs for coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae; many species live in pairs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pinstriped butterflyfish?

The Pinstriped butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Pinstriped butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Pinstriped butterflyfish get?

The Pinstriped butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Pinstriped butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Pinstriped butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Streepkoraalvlinder sourced
English name
Pinstriped butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon lunulatus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Oval butterflyfish; Pacific pinstriped butterflyfish; Pinstripe butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.7 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
60.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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