Hemitaurichthys zoster is very common in the Maldives and is unusual for a butterflyfish, as it feeds mainly on plankton and has adopted a schooling mode of life, unlike most other butterflyfishes.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 18 cm
color
Dark brown with broad white area in middle of the body. Dorsal spines over white area are yellow. Caudal fin mostly white.
This species is typically encountered at depths ranging from 1 to 35 meters and is often observed in large groups. It feeds on zooplankton in the upper layers of the water column, and will quickly retreat to the safety of the coral reefs when threatened.
distinctive characters
The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 24-26 rays, the anal fin has 3 spines and 20-21 rays, and the pectoral fin has 17 rays. The body depth is 1.5 times the standard length.