Hooded butterflyfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hooded butterflyfish |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chaetodon
|
| Species: |
larvatus
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Chaetodon karraf Cuvier, 1831 |
|
The hooded butterflyfish (Chaetodon larvatus) is a beautiful fish that lives in the ocean. It's also known as the orangeface butterflyfish because of its bright colors. This fish is a type of butterflyfish, which are known for their vibrant patterns. You can find it mainly in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Recently, a few have even been seen in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
What Does the Hooded Butterflyfish Look Like?
This fish can grow up to about 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long. Its body is a light blue color. It has a cool pattern of thin, white, V-shaped lines. The front part of its body and its head are a bright red-orange. The back part of its top fin and its tail fin are black.
Where Does the Hooded Butterflyfish Live and What Does It Do?
The hooded butterflyfish lives in coral reefs. You can find them in reefs that are near the open ocean or in calm lagoons. They usually swim around in pairs, like best friends. These fish are also territorial, meaning they like to stay in their own space.
Normally, the hooded butterflyfish eats only the soft parts, called polyps, of a type of coral called Acropora. These corals have a tube-like shape. However, some hooded butterflyfish have been seen in the Mediterranean Sea. There aren't many corals there, so scientists think these fish might be able to learn to eat other things.
The Hooded Butterflyfish Family Tree
The hooded butterflyfish has some close relatives, like cousins, that look similar. One is the triangle butterflyfish (C. triangulum), which lives in the Indian Ocean. Another is C. baronessa, found in the Indo-Pacific. These three species are part of a smaller group called Gonochaetodon. Scientists are still learning about the exact family connections of these fish.
