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Doubledash butterflyfish (Chaetodon marleyi) — Chaetodontidae

Doubledash butterflyfish

Chaetodon marleyi

The Doubledash butterflyfish (Chaetodon marleyi) is a brackish-water fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–120.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The doubledash butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from coastal waters of the western Indian Ocean, off southern Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a deep, silvery-white body with yellowish tints, a dark band through the eye and a few short dark dashes. As a reef-dweller it searches rocky and coral reefs for small invertebrates, worms and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Doubledash butterflyfish?

The Doubledash butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Doubledash butterflyfish live?

The Doubledash butterflyfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Doubledash butterflyfish get?

The Doubledash butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Doubledash butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Doubledash butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Doubledash butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Doubledash butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Marleys koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Doubledash butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon marleyi
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Doublesash butterflyfish; Marley's Butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
120.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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