Chaetodon sedentarius Poey, 1860
Reef butterflyfish
Chaetodon sedentarius
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 92 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: North Carolina, USA to northern South America, including the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Eastern Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 17-19. Edges of the scales yellowish on back; a black bar on head through eye; a broad blackish bar across caudal peduncle which extends into soft portions of dorsal fin above and anal fin below; caudal fin light yellow, white at base (Ref. 13442).
Biology:  Inhabit coral reefs. Prefer to feed on eggs of Abudefduf saxatilis (Ref. 9626) but also on polychaete worms, shrimps, amphipods and hydroids. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  reports of ciguatera poisoning


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