Chaetodon ephippium Cuvier, 1831
Saddled butterflyfish, 30cm

This is a common species usually found paired on shallow lagoon, pinnacle or seaward reefs. Juveniles are often in very shallow water, near the intertidal zone, or on lagoon slopes in patches of Halimeda algae. It has a varied diet, feeding on coral, algae, sponges and benthic invertebrates. This is also called the saddleback butterfly.

Juveniles.

The juvenile below hangs out among branches of Acropora coral.

An even younger juvenile.

Created 15 October 2010
Updated 27 March 2017

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