Chaetodon leucopleura
A deep-water butterflyfish of the northwestern Indian Ocean.
Chaetodon leucopleura, the Somali butterflyfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Chaetodontidae. Its range is the northwestern Indian Ocean.
Like other butterflyfish, it has a laterally compressed, oval body and a pointed snout. The lower body is white, the upper body dark greyish-black. A yellow curved line runs along the edge of the gill cover, and a black bar crosses the eye. Between the eyes are five or six thin horizontal lines, and the upper lips are black. The fins are yellow. The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 21–23 soft rays; the anal fin has 3 spines and 18–19 soft rays. Maximum standard length is 18 cm (7.1 in).
This species occurs along the East African coast from Sudan south to Zanzibar, as well as around Socotra, the Seychelles, and south to Aldabra. In the southern Red Sea, it is found near the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia and off Yemen.
It prefers deeper water, at depths of 7 to 80 meters (23–262 ft), on deep, coral-rich reefs, often near the base of slopes over coral scree. Usually solitary or in pairs over open bottoms, it is an uncommon species. Pairs form for breeding; it is oviparous. Its diet consists of coral polyps and benthic invertebrates.
The species was first formally described in 1867 by Scottish naturalist Lambert Playfair, with the type locality given as Zanzibar. It is tentatively placed in the large subgenus Rabdophorus, which may warrant recognition as a distinct genus.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Chaetodon
- Parent
- Chaetodon (Rabdophorus)
- Species
- leucopleura
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Chaetodon leucopleura was first formally described in 1867 by the Scots naturalist Lambert Playfair, with the type locality given as Zanzibar. It is tentatively placed in the large subgenus Rabdophorus, which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. The species has a laterally compressed and oval-shaped body with a pointed snout, typical of butterflyfish. The lower part of the body is white, while the upper part is dark greyish black. A yellow curved line runs along the margin of the operculum, and a black bar passes through the eye. There are 5–6 thin horizontal lines between the eyes, and the upper lips are black. The fins are yellow.
Reader's Guide
Chaetodon leucopleura is an uncommon species found in the northwestern Indian Ocean, occurring along the East African coast from Sudan south to Zanzibar, the island of Socotra, the Seychelles south to Aldabra, and in the southern Red Sea around the Farasan Islands of Saudi Arabia and off Yemen. It appears to have a preference for deeper water, at depths of 7 to 80 metres, on deep coral-rich reefs, frequently close to the base of slopes over coral scree. Typically encountered either solitarily or as pairs over open bottoms, it forms pairs for breeding and is oviparous. Its diet consists of coral polyps and benthic invertebrates. The species attains a maximum standard length of 18 centimetres. Its significance lies in its restricted distribution and its role as a coral-feeding specialist in deeper reef habitats, contributing to the ecological balance of coral ecosystems in the region.
Did You Know?
- Chaetodon leucopleura has 12 dorsal fin spines and 21–23 soft rays.
- It is found at depths from 7 to 80 metres.
- The species was first described by Scots naturalist Lambert Playfair in 1867.
- Its diet includes coral polyps and benthic invertebrates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chaetodon leucopleura?
Chaetodon leucopleura, commonly known as the Somali butterflyfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Chaetodontidae. It is a deep-water species native to the northwestern Indian Ocean.
What does Chaetodon leucopleura look like?
It has a laterally compressed oval body with a pointed snout, a white lower half, and a dark greyish-black upper half. A yellow curved line traces the gill cover, a black bar crosses the eye, and five or six thin horizontal lines sit between the eyes. Its fins are yellow, with 12 dorsal spines, 21–23 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, and 18–19 anal soft rays.
How large does Chaetodon leucopleura grow?
The maximum standard length of this species is 18 cm (about 7.1 inches), making it a modestly sized butterflyfish.
Where can you find Chaetodon leucopleura?
This butterflyfish is restricted to the northwestern Indian Ocean, where it inhabits deeper waters than many of its relatives. It is considered a deep-water species within the Chaetodontidae family.
At what depths does Chaetodon leucopleura live?
The Somali butterflyfish ranges from 7 to 80 metres (roughly 23 to 262 feet) below the surface. This places it well below the shallow reef zone where most other butterflyfish species are typically observed.
More in Butterflyfish, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced