Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
Chaetodontidae | Chaetodon capistratus | Linnaeus | 1758 | Foureye Butterflyfish |
Chaetodon capistratus
Unique Characters: A large black ocellated spot present on posterior body below second half of soft dorsal-fin rays. Blackish eyeband extending from nape or shortly before dorsal-fin spines to eye as strong dark bands, continuing as dark bands below eye downward and backward. Snout shorter, more than 2.4 in head length. Body variously provided with bars or spots. Interorbital stripe absent. Body with black lines converging at midline forming anteriorly directed angles. Dorsal spines normally 8.
Similar Species:
Banded Butterflyfish Chaetodon striatus
Spotfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon ocellatus
Reef Butterflyfish Chaetodon sedentarius
Banded Butterflyfish Chaetodon striatus. Body whitish with four dark bands, Dark inner band on caudal fin. Snout shorter, more than 2.4 in head length. Eyeband blackish, not extending forward and ending on upper portion of snout. Body variously provided with bars or spots. Eyeband extending from nape or shortly before dorsal-fin spines to eye as strong dark bands, continuing as dark bands below eye downward and backward. Interorbital stripe absent. Body with black lines converging at midline forming anteriorly directed angles. Dorsal spines normally 7. No ocellated spot on posterior body, but body crossed by 2 broad dark bars, first from anterior dorsal-fin spines to abdomen, second from last dorsal-fin spines to middle of anal fin.
Spotfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon ocellatus. Body whitish, lips and fins yellow. Non-ocellated black spot present on base of soft dorsal-fin rays (can fade). Snout shorter, more than 2.4 in head length. Eyeband blackish, not extending forward and ending on upper portion of snout. Body variously provided with bars or spots. Eyeband extending from nape or shortly before dorsal-fin spines to eye as strong dark bands, continuing as dark bands below eye downward and backward. Interorbital stripe absent. Body without black lines converging at midline to form anteriorly directed angles. Soft dorsal and anal fins with acute angle, extending backward to provide almost continuous line with posterior edge of caudal fin. Small black spot at angle of soft rays. Dorsal fin with 7 or 8 spines and 18-20 soft rays.
Reef Butterflyfish Chaetodon sedentarius. Body cream-colored. Eyeband extending from nape or shortly before dorsal-fin spines to eye as strong dark bands, continuing as dark bands below eye Dark band extending across posterior fins and body, more persistent and stronger on caudal peduncle and into anal fin. Snout shorter, more than 2.4 in head length. Eyeband blackish, not extending forward and ending on upper portion of snout. Body variously provided with bars or spots. downward and backward. Interorbital stripe absent. Body without black lines converging at midline to form anteriorly directed angles. Soft dorsal and anal fins short, rounded, not extending past caudal-fin base.
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