CHAETODONTIDAE


Chaetodon octofasciatus
(photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin)


Chaetodon octofasciatus
Bloch, 1787
Eightbanded Butterflyfish

D X-XII, 17-20; A III, 14-17; P1 12-14; LLp 27-38; LR 36-42.

Body rounded, almost circular; snout short, blunt; predorsal contour straight. Lateral line incomplete. Dorsal and anal fins strongly rounded, caudal fin truncate to slightly rounded. Color: overall creamy yellow with eight black vertical stripes, including an eyeband, 5 central body stripes, and the other 2 stripes crossing dorsal and anal fins; pelvic fins yellow. Size: maximum length about 10 cm. Distribution: Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from Maldives and Sri Lanka to New Guinea and Great Barrier Reef. Remarks: inhabits coral reefs at depths of 3-20 m. Forms pairs or small groups. Feeds on coral polyps.