Chaetodon adiergastos Seale, 1910
Philippine butterflyfish
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/D. Terver

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan to the Philippines, Java, Indonesia and northwestern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 23-26; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Description: Body color is white with diagonal brown stripes on the sides. The dorsal, caudal anal and pelvic fins are yellow. A broad black band is on the face, covering the eye. A black isolated spot is on the forehead (Ref. 4855). Snout length 2.8-3.4 in HL. Body depth 1.3-1.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit coral reefs and occur in pairs or groups, usually near soft coral (Ref. 9710). Juveniles solitary and found on shallow protected reefs or in estuaries (Ref. 48636). Home ranging, solitary or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Feed on corals, crabs, worms, and other invertebrates (Ref. 48331). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Mature individuals form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). Rarely exported through the aquarium trade (Ref. 48331).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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