HomeMarine aquarium fishAngelfish & butterflyfishMargined coralfish Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) Scientific name: Chelmon marginalis Richardson, 1842 The Margined coralfish (Chelmon marginalis) is a marine fish of the family Chaetodontidae. Native range: Western Pacific, northern Australia (from Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef) and Papua New Guinea. Closely resembles Chelmon rostratus. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 9 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 29-33; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 21 - 22. Juveniles have a posterior bar and dorsal fin spot which fade and disappear with growth.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameChelmon marginalisFamilyChaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length18.0Depth range1–30 m (3–98 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 30 mClimateTropicalDistributionWestern Pacific: northern Australia (from Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef) and Papua New Guinea. Closely resembles Chelmon rostratus.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More angelfish & butterflyfishPajama cardinalfishSphaeramia nematopteraOriental butterflyfishChaetodon auripesMidnight angelfishCentropyge noxThree-striped butterflyfishChaetodon tricinctusAsian butterflyfishChaetodon argentatusHongkong butterflyfishChaetodon wiebeliSee all angelfish & butterflyfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026