Hemitaurichthys thompsoni Fowler, 1923
Thompson's butterflyfish
Hemitaurichthys thompsoni
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 300 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: Mariana, Samoa, Johnston, Hawaiian, Line (Ref. 9710), and Tuamoto islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-27; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 20-21
Biology:  Found in coral reefs (Ref. 43239). Occur in schools above steep outer reef slopes at depths below 10 m to 300 m and sometimes above clear lagoon reefs at depths as shallow as 4 m. Uncommon (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feeds on zooplanktons (Ref. 89972). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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