Kingdom Animalia Subgenus Rabdophorus Phylum Chordata Rank Species Found in Red Sea | Family Chaetodontidae Scientific name Chaetodon fasciatus Higher classification Chaetodon Order Perciformes | |
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Genus Chaetodon (but see text) Similar Chaetodon, Butterflyfish, Eritrean butterflyfish, Blacktail butterflyfish, Bluecheek butterflyfish | ||
The diagonal butterflyfish (Chaetodon fasciatus), also known as the Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish, is a species of butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is found in the Red Sea only.
They have a yellow body with 11 diagonal stripes and reach a maximum length of 22 cm (c.9 in). In their native habitat, they swim over and around corals, on which they feed. They have also been observed feeding on gelatinous zooplankton, such as jellyfish (Scyphozoa) and comb jellies (Ctenophora).
It belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In this group, its closest relative is probably the very similar common raccoon butterflyfish (C. lunula). Other close relatives appear to be the black butterflyfish (C. flavirostris), Philippine butterflyfish (C. adiergastos), and perhaps also the unusual red-tailed butterflyfish (C. collare). Although the coloration of this group varies quite a lot, they are all largish butterflyfishes with an oval outline, and most have a pattern of ascending oblique stripes on the flanks. Except in the red-tailed butterflyfish, there is at least a vestigial form of the "raccoon" mask, with a white space between the dark crown and eye areas.