Chaetodon trifascialis Quoy & Gaimard, 1825
Chevron butterflyfish
Chaetodon trifascialis
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 30 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Society islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 13-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 3-5; Anal soft rays: 13-15. Description: Body elongate; color is generally white with narrow chevron markings. Juveniles have a mostly yellow tail and a broad black band extending from the rear of the dorsal fin to the rear of the anal fin. Tail pattern and posterior part of body changes dramatically with growth (Ref. 48636). Snout length 2.8-3.3 in HL. Body depth 1.7-2.2 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Territorial species which occur in shallow lagoon and semi-protected seaward reefs (Ref. 48636). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Closely associated with tabular and staghorn Acropora corals upon which they feed on their polyps and mucus. Solitary or in pairs. Juveniles secretive among coral branches (Ref. 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 06 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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