CHAETODONTIDAE


Chaetodon trifascialis, 6.7 cm SL
(photo by Richard Winterbottom)


Chaetodon trifascialis
Quoy and Gaimard, 1825
Chevroned Butterflyfish

D XIV, 14-17; A IV-V, 15-17; P1 14; LLp 20-26; LR 22-29.

Body elongate-oval; snout short, pointed; predorsal contour straight. Lateral line incomplete. Dorsal fin pointed; anal fin angular, squarish; caudal fin truncate. Color: overall white with narrow dark chevron markings on sides; basal two-thirds of caudal fin blackish in adults, yellow in juveniles; a black bar through eye. Size: maximum length about 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Remarks: Feeds chiefly on coral polyps.