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Coralfish (Chelmonops truncatus) — Chaetodontidae

Coralfish

Chelmonops truncatus
LC · Least Concern

The Coralfish (Chelmonops truncatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
22 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–70.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The eastern talma is a coralfish (butterflyfish relative) from southeastern Australia. The species grows to about 22 cm and has a deep, silvery-white, laterally compressed body with a few broad yellow to brown cross-bars and an elongated snout. As a reef-dweller it uses its pointed mouth to pick small invertebrates and polyps from crevices in rocks and coral. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coralfish?

The Coralfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Coralfish live?

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

How big does the Coralfish get?

The Coralfish grows to a maximum of about 22 cm.

Is the Coralfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Coralfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Coralfish edible?

The Coralfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oostelijke talma verified
English name
Coralfish verified
Scientific name
Chelmonops truncatus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Eastern talma; Talma; Truncate coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
70.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
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 sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chelmonops

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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