Pebbled butterflyfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pebbled butterflyfish |
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| Pebbled butterflyfish are often found in pairs | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chaetodon
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| Species: |
multicinctus
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| Synonyms | |
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Exornator exornator multicinctus (Garrett, 1863) |
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The pebbled butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus) is a colorful fish that lives in the ocean. It's a type of butterflyfish, known for its bright patterns. You can often spot these fish swimming near coral reefs. They are usually found in pairs and are quite small, growing up to about 12 centimeters (5 inches) long. These fish are white with yellow, brown, and black markings. They are also known to be very protective of their home areas.
Contents
What the Pebbled Butterflyfish Looks Like
Pebbled butterflyfish can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 5 inches) long. Their bodies are mostly white with small spots. Sometimes, they might even have hints of green or yellow.
Special Markings
- They have five light brown bands that cross their sides.
- On their belly side, a dark line starts near their anal fins (bottom back fins). This line slowly turns yellow as it goes towards their pelvic fins (bottom front fins).
- It's easy to mix them up with other butterflyfish, like the crochet butterflyfish or speckled butterflyfish. But you can tell the pebbled butterflyfish apart by its unique vertical bands.
Fin Details
- Their dorsal fin (top fin) and anal fins (bottom back fins) have a black line running along them. This line is about one-third of the way up from the outer edge of the fin.
- The pelvic fins are white.
- Their pectoral fins (side fins) are clear, so you can see through them.
- The caudal fin (tail fin) has a black crescent shape in the middle and a dark ring at its base.
Life and Habits of the Pebbled Butterflyfish
Pebbled butterflyfish often live in pairs. They stay together, especially when it's time to have babies, and they lay eggs. These fish are known to be monogamous, meaning they have one partner for life.
Protecting Their Home
They are very protective of their territory. This means they will defend their feeding areas from other fish.
What They Eat
The pebbled butterflyfish has a special diet. They mostly eat coral polyps, which are tiny soft-bodied animals that make up coral reefs. They also enjoy eating polychaete worms and small shrimp.
Where Pebbled Butterflyfish Live
Pebbled butterflyfish are found in the eastern central part of the Pacific Ocean.
Their Home Waters
- You can find them in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands.
- They also live near Johnston Atoll, which is a small island in the Pacific.
- These fish prefer to live near coral reefs and over rocky areas in the ocean.
See also
In Spanish: Pez mariposa empedrado para niños
