Chaetodon ocellicaudus Cuvier, 1831
Spot-tail butterflyfish
Chaetodon ocellicaudus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 50 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Malaysia to New Guinea, north to the Philippines; Palau (Belau) in Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-18. Description: Body white, diagonal stripes black; eye bar black, caudal peduncle spot black. Snout length 2.6-3.3 in HL. Body depth 1.6-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Most commonly found in reef channels and outer slopes (Ref. 90102). Occur in coral rich areas of reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs. Juveniles inshore. Adults usually seen in pair (Ref. 48636). Feed on soft coral polyps (e.g. Litophyton viridis and species of the genera Sarcophyton, Nephthia, and Clavularia) (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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