Chaetodon reticulatus Cuvier, 1831
Mailed butterflyfish
Chaetodon reticulatus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 40 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands to the Great Barrier Reef and the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Ducie islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-22. Description: Body is generally black with a broad white vertical band extending from the pelvic to the origin of the dorsal spines. There are several horizontal rows of white spots on the sides. Juveniles similar to adults but white area proportionally larger (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.7-3.3 in HL. Body depth 1.3-1.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Relatively common on exposed seaward reefs; occasionally on shallow lagoon reefs in areas of rich coral growth and clear water. Juveniles in protected coral areas (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). In pairs in Indonesia but schools in some Pacific locations (Ref. 48636). Often in pairs during breeding and feed mainly on scleractinian coral polyps. Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 07 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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