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Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) — Chaetodontidae

Margined coralfish

Chelmon marginalis

The Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The margined coralfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from coastal waters of northern Australia. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a deep, white-silver body with a few orange crossbands and a long, tubular snout with which it probes crevices and holes for small invertebrates. As a reef-dweller it lives around coral and rocky reefs and in estuaries. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Margined coralfish?

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

Where does the Margined coralfish live?

The Margined coralfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam

How big does the Margined coralfish get?

The Margined coralfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Margined coralfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Margined coralfish 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 Margined coralfish edible?

Yes, the Margined coralfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) — Chaetodontidae — 2
Ren H.lditch (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — Atlas of Living Australia
Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) — Chaetodontidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) — Chaetodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) J. Martin Crossley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) — Chaetodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Grace Keast, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Margined coralfish sourced
Scientific name
Chelmon marginalis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Margined coralfish; Western beaked butterflyfish; Butterflyfish; Willemawillum 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)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam 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

Same genus Chelmon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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