Family Chaetodontidae Higher classification Chaetodon | Order Perciformes Genus Chaetodon Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Chaetodon, Butterflyfish, Teardrop butterflyfish, Peppered butterflyfish, Chaetodon zanzibarensis |
Yellow teardrop butterflyfish chaetodon interruptus
The Yellow teardrop butterflyfish, Chaetodon interruptus, is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae found in the Indian ocean from East Africa (south to Port Alfred, South Africa), to Sumatra, Indonesia.
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Description
The teardrop butterflyfish is up to 20 cm in length and easily identified by its yellow and black colour pattern. The caudal fin is transparent. Juveniles are virtually identical to adults in coloration.
Habitat
They occur in small groups in reef flats, clear lagoon and seaward reefs, and feed on soft and hard corals, and also on polychaetes, small crustaceans, and filamentous algae. They are usually seen at moderate depths, usually swimming in small groups.
Reproduction
Reproduction is oviparous, with pairs forming during breeding. Teardrop butterflyfish are monogamous.