Chelmon muelleri
A long-snouted butterflyfish endemic to Australian coastal reefs.
Chelmon muelleri, called the blackfin coralfish or Muller's coralfish, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the butterflyfish family Chaetodontidae. This reef fish is found only in Australia.
The body is silvery white with four wide brown vertical bars and a large black spot (ocellus) at the base of the rear part of the dorsal fin. Its snout is long. The dorsal fin has 9 to 10 spines and 26 to 30 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18 to 21 soft rays. It can reach a total length of 20.5 centimeters (8.1 inches).
This species lives only in Australia, ranging from the Kimberley Island groups in Western Australia to the southern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
It inhabits shallow coastal reefs where live coral cover is sparse, often where the seabed is mud or silt, or where algae is extensive. It also occurs in estuaries and can be found as deep as 20 meters (66 feet). Adults are usually seen in pairs, but juveniles are solitary. It is carnivorous, feeding on worms, clams, tunicates, and crustaceans.
The species was first formally described in 1879 by German zoologist Carl Benjamin Klunzinger, with the type location given as Port Denison, Queensland. Its specific name honors German physician, geographer, and botanist Ferdinand von Mueller.
Chelmon muelleri rarely appears in the aquarium trade, and when it does, it commands high prices.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Chelmon muelleri
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Chelmon muelleri was first formally described in 1879 by German zoologist Carl Benjamin Klunzinger, with the type locality given as Port Denison in Queensland. Its specific name honors the German physician, geographer, and botanist Ferdinand von Mueller. The species is characterized by a silvery white body marked with four wide brown vertical bars and a large black ocellus at the base of the posterior dorsal fin.
This butterflyfish is found on shallow coastal reefs with little live coral cover, often over mud or silt substrates or areas with extensive algae. It also occurs in estuaries and can be found as deep as 20 meters. Adults are normally observed in pairs, while juveniles are solitary. The species is carnivorous, feeding on worms, clams, tunicates, and crustaceans.
Reader's Guide
Chelmon muelleri is a relatively obscure species in the aquarium trade, rarely appearing and commanding high prices when it does. Its restricted distribution—endemic to Australia from the Kimberley Island groups in Western Australia to the southern Great Barrier Reef in Queensland—makes it a specialized inhabitant of shallow coastal and estuarine environments. The species' preference for habitats with little live coral, such as muddy or silty seabeds or areas with algal cover, distinguishes it from many other butterflyfish that rely on coral-rich zones. Its carnivorous diet and solitary juvenile behavior contrast with the paired adult lifestyle. The taxonomic history, with its description by Klunzinger and naming after Mueller, adds a layer of scientific heritage. Despite its limited presence in aquaria, the species' unique ecological niche and striking appearance contribute to its significance among butterflyfish enthusiasts and researchers studying Australian reef fish diversity.
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