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The
Copper-banded butterflyfish (Chaetodon rostratus) and Kite
butterflyfish (Parachaetodon ocellatus) are sometimes seen
in the coral rubble area. These range from tiny ones less than 5cm
to larger ones up to 20cm.
False eyes: The large ‘false eye’
on the dorsal fin fools predators into thinking that it is a big fish!
And if a predator does attack it, the butterflyfish unexpectedly swims
‘backwards’. Its real eye is concealed by a colorful band. Being very
flat, the butteflyfish can slip into narrow cracks, and practically
disappears when seen from above.
Butteflyfish food: The butterflyfish
nibbles on small creatures such as worms and coral polyps. These are
picked out with its long snout which can probe crevices and other
hiding places. Other butterflyfishes may also eat fish eggs, plankton
and small algae. The snout of a butterflyfish has brush-like teeth;
'Chaetodont' means 'bristle-tooth' in Greek. Most butterflyfishes
are active during the day.
Butterflyfish Babies: Many butterflyfishes
are found in mated pairs. A mating pair will rise to the water surface
together, simultaneously releasing eggs and sperm. A unique feature
of this family is a prolonged larval stage in which the free-swimming
larvae may remain drifting with plankton for 2-3 months before changing
into juvenile butterflyfishes.
Human uses: Butterflyfishes of
various kinds are quite popular in the live aquarium trade and are
thus extensively harvested from the wild.
Status and threats: Harvesting
of butterflyfishes from the wild may involve the use of cyanide or
blasting, which damage the habitat and kill many other creatures.
Like other fish and creatures harvested from the wild, most die before
they can reach the retailers. Without professional care, most die
soon after they are sold. Often of starvation as owners are unable
to provide the small creatures and plants that these fishes need to
survive. Those that do survive are unlikely to breed. |
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Kite butterflyfish
Parachaetodon
ocellatus
From above, the flat butterflyfish is
hard to spot |
Links
Family
Chaetodontidae from FishBase:
Technical fact sheet on the family, including a fact sheet on Chelmon
rostratus and Parachaetodon
ocellatus.
Other references
- Aw, Michael, 2000
(revised edition). Tropical Reef Fishes: A 'Getting to Know You'
and Identification Guide. OceanEnvironment Ltd, Australia. 160 pp.
- Lim, Kelvin K.
P. & Jeffrey K. Y. Low, 1998. A Guide to the Common Marine Fishes
of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre. 163 pp. online
version
- Tan, Leo W. H.
& Ng, Peter K. L., 1988. A Guide to Seashore Life. The Singapore
Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp. online
version
- Lim, S., P. Ng,
L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life and Times
of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of Science, Nanyang
Technological University & Department of Zoology, the National University
of Singapore. 160 pp.
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