Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) fish species and information / pictures of Blackback butterflyfish - Chaetodon melannotus

Blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Chaetodon melannotus

Common Name
Blackback butterflyfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 18-21; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 16 - 18. Changes color when frightened or when observed at night. The dorsal portion of the body turns black except for two white patches.

Classification

Classified By
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae)

Distribution

Region
Indo-Pacific
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Throughout Micronesia.
Range
30°N - 30°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
4 m
Depth To - meters
20 m
Zone
reef-associated
Environment
Marine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 4 - 20 m (Ref. 9710)
Trophic Level
3.34 s.e. 0.61 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
False
Occurs on Reefs
True
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
18.0 cm
Common Length
Unknown cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Aquarium: commercial
Vulnerability
Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K = 0.14, tmax = 20)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)