Masked Butterflyfish (Chaetodon larvatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Chaetodon larvatus
- Common name
- Masked Butterflyfish
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Chaetodon
- Size
- 12–16 cm
- Depth
- 8–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, monogamous
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Chaetodon larvatus reaches 16 cm. Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) endemic to Red Sea. Creamy white with distinctive black facial mask, pale yellow band and yellow fins. White mark below eye resembles tear. Territorial stable pair. Benthic polypivore-invertebrivore. Coral reefs 8-40 m. No threats = LC. Highly recognizable by mask.
Photo of Masked Butterflyfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Masked Butterflyfish?
- Masked Butterflyfish (Chaetodon larvatus) reaches 12–16 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Masked Butterflyfish?
- Masked Butterflyfish is found between 8–40 m deep.
- Is the Masked Butterflyfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Masked Butterflyfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Masked Butterflyfish?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Chaetodon
- Chaetodon sedentarius - Reef butterflyfish
- Chaetodon ocellatus - Spotfin butterflyfish
- Chaetodon fasciatus - Diagonal butterflyfish
- Chaetodon semilarvatus - Bluecheek butterflyfish
- Chaetodon humeralis - Threebanded butterflyfish
- Chaetodon auriga - Threadfin butterflyfish
Other species in the family Chaetodontidae
- Forcipiger flavissimus - Longnose butterflyfish
- Johnrandallia nigrirostris - Barberfish
- Heniochus diphreutes - Schooling bannerfish
- Heniochus varius - Humphead bannerfish
- Forcipiger longirostris - Longnose Butterflyfish
- Prognathodes falcifer - Falcate Coralfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218716)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385353)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia