Chaetodon mertensii Cuvier, 1831
Atoll butterflyfish

Atoll butterflyfish Paru-paro,  Alibang-bang,  Alibang-bang,  Alibangbang,  Alibangbang,  Alibangbang,  Alibangbang,  Kapiged,  Paru-parung dagat, 

Chaetodon mertensii
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
 Max. size:  12.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 10 - 120 m, non-migratory
 Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands to the Philippines and extending to Lord Howe, Rapa and Tuamoto islands. Replaced by Chaetodon madagascariensis in the Indian Ocean, Chaetodon xanthurus in southeast Asia, and Chaetodon paucifasciatus in the Red Sea (Ref. 37816).
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 16-17. Body color is white with 4-5 chevron-shaped blackish bands on the sides. The posterior portion of the trunk, the adjacent dorsal and anal fins, and the posterior portion of the caudal fin are yellow. A vertical black bar runs (uninterrupted) across the eye (Ref. 4855). Snout length 2.3-3.0 in HL. Body depth 1.7-1.8 in SL (Ref. 90102).
 Biology:  Inhabit deep lagoons and seaward reefs. Occur singly or in pairs. Feed on algae and small benthic invertebrates (Ref. 1602). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). May hybridize with C. xanthurus.
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  harmless
 Country info:  Recorded from Lanuza Bay (Ref. 104756), San Juan, Batangas (Ref. 107854), Nasugbu, Batangas (Ref. 107853), Davao Gulf, Malalag Bay, Bongo Island and Paril-Sangay Protected Seascape, Moro Gulf (Ref. 106380). Also Ref. 1602, 53416.

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 05.06.92
 Modified by: Luna, Susan M. - 07.03.06
 Checked by: Agustin, Liza Q. - 12.08.94

Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.


Page created by Jen, 05.08.02, php script by kbanasihan 06/09/2010 ,  last modified by dsantos, 20/08/10