Bluecheek butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Chaetodon semilarvatus
- Common name
- Bluecheek butterflyfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Genus
- Chaetodon
- Size
- 15–23 cm
- Depth
- 3–20 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- pair-bonding, schooling
- Ocean zones
- Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Chaetodon semilarvatus reaches 23 cm. Brilliant golden-yellow body adorned with fine orange vertical bars, characteristic dark-blue mask enveloping the eyes like a veil. Endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Often seen in small groups or motionless pairs under coral overhangs, unlike other more active butterflyfishes. Spectacular color, iconic photo subject of the Red Sea.
Photo of Bluecheek butterflyfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Bluecheek butterflyfish?
- Bluecheek butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus) reaches 15–23 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Bluecheek butterflyfish?
- Bluecheek butterflyfish is found between 3–20 m deep.
- Is the Bluecheek butterflyfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Bluecheek butterflyfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Bluecheek butterflyfish?
- Found in: Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Chaetodon
- Chaetodon sedentarius - Reef butterflyfish
- Chaetodon ocellatus - Spotfin butterflyfish
- Chaetodon fasciatus - Diagonal butterflyfish
- Chaetodon humeralis - Threebanded butterflyfish
- Chaetodon auriga - Threadfin butterflyfish
- Chaetodon lunula - Raccoon 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 218742)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2385470)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia