Subgenus Rabdophorus Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Chaetodontidae Higher classification Chaetodon | |
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Genus Chaetodon (but see text) Similar Butterflyfish, Chaetodon, Threadfin butterflyfish, Diagonal butterflyfish, Eritrean butterflyfish | ||
0380 emperor angelfish with bluecheek butterflyfish hd underwater video stock footage
The blue-cheeked butterflyfish, Chaetodon semilarvatus, is a species of butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is found in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, at depths of between 3 and 20 m.
Contents
- 0380 emperor angelfish with bluecheek butterflyfish hd underwater video stock footage
- Description
- Behavior
- References
The blue-cheeked butterflyfish belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In this group, it seems closest to a group containing the Blackback butterflyfish (C. melannotus), the spot-naped butterflyfish (C. oxycephalus), or the peculiar black-wedged butterflyfish (C. falcula) and Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish or "false falcula", (C. ulietensis). Though the present species does not share their white body with black on the back and caudal peduncle and even lacks the typical eyestripe of Chaetodon, it has the same tell-tale blue vertical lines as these species.
Description
Its length is up to 13 cm (5.1 in). It is mostly yellow, with thin slate blue vertical lines on the sides and a slate blue cheek patch in lieu of the usual black eyestripe of most Chaetodon.
Behavior
This species is one of the few fish species to have long-term mates. In the wild, the fish eats hard corals as well as benthic invertebrates.