TAXONOMY
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order Perciformes (Perch likes)
Family Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Genus/Species: Chaetodon ephippium
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Yellowish grey with a large black spot on the upper rear sides bordered below by a broad white band; orange area from snout to ventral fins, wavy blue lines on the lower sides. The breast and snout are yellow. Adults have a filament extending from the back of the dorsal fin.
Length to 23 cm (9 inches) in length.
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Indo-Pacific. in lagoons and seaward reefs to 30 m (98 feet) in coral rich, clear waters.
DIET IN THE WILD: Filamentous algae, small invertebrates, sponges, coral polyps, and fish eggs.
REPRODUCTION: Oviparous
CONSERVATION: IUCN Least Concern (LC)
Color of Life, Color Conceals.
This Saddleback Butterflyfish helps conceals its head by having a vertical line through the eye and a large eve-like spot on its upper posterior less vital portion of its body confusing predators.
Color Cluster
References
California Academy of Sciences Color of life docent training 2015
Ron’s WordPress Shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-vi
Ron’s flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157625119200613/
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/5562
EOL eol.org/pages/1012777/details
Australia Museum australianmuseum.net.au/Saddle-Butterflyfish-Chaetodon-ep…