Chaetodon mertensii Cuvier, 1831
Merten's butterflyfish, 12.5cm

This species is somewhat uncommon on lagoon, pinnacle and seaward reefs. It is probably most frequently observed on the steep seaward slope, usually in pairs. It generally eats benthic invertebrates and algae.

Pecking at a bleached (zooxanthellae lost) colony of Acropora coral.

Created 15 October 2010
Updated 13 October 2015

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