Marine Life

Indian vagabond butterflyfish

Hindhukokaa bibee

Chaetodon decussatus

Chaetodon decussatus is not especially common in the Maldives, and it is very similar in appearance to C. vagabundus, which has led to frequent confusion between the two. This confusion has been further compounded by the fact that in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, there is a sub-species of C. vagabundus known as C. vagabundus pictus, which has a much broader posterior black band than usual.

Details

§ 01

size: Max. 20 cm
color: Background colour white. Broad black eye band. Posterior part of body mostly black, but with yellow markings on tail and anal fin. Two perpendicular series of grey lines on side.
order: Perciformes
family: Chaetodontidae
image url: https://assets.explore.mv/fishes/chaetodon-decussatus.png
habitat and biology: This species can be found in a variety of habitats, from vibrant coral reefs to rubble and rocky areas, at depths of up to 20 m. Its diet consists mainly of algae and coral polyps.
distinctive characters: The dorsal fin has 13 spines and 24-25 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 20-21 rays, and the pectoral fin has 14-15 rays. The body depth is 1.4 in standard length.