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Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) — Chaetodontidae

Lord Howe butterflyfish

Amphichaetodon howensis
Family: Chaetodontidae

The Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
10.0–150.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Lord Howe butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from subtropical waters of the southwest Pacific, around Lord Howe Island and adjacent reef areas. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a deep, whitish body with a few broad, oblique dark bars and yellow accents. As a reef-dweller it searches rocky and coral reefs for small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lord Howe butterflyfish?

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

Where does the Lord Howe butterflyfish live?

The Lord Howe butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I.

How big does the Lord Howe butterflyfish get?

The Lord Howe butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Lord Howe butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Lord Howe butterflyfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Lord Howe butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Lord Howe butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) — Chaetodontidae — 2
Chi Phan (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) — Chaetodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) — Chaetodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) pcaiger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Lord Howe butterflyfish (Amphichaetodon howensis) — Chaetodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Malcolm Francis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lord Howe butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Amphichaetodon howensis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Broad-barred butterflyfish; Lord Howe butterflyfish; Lord Howe coral fish; Lord Howe Island butterflyfish; Lord Howe coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
10.0 verified
Max depth (m)
150.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Kermadec Is., Norfolk I., Lord Howe I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

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Fin

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