Margined coralfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Margined coralfish |
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The margined coralfish, also known as the Western beaked butterflyfish, is a beautiful marine fish. It belongs to the butterflyfish family, called Chaetodontidae. This fish lives only in the coral reefs around Australia.
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About the Margined Coralfish
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The margined coralfish has a shiny, silvery-white body. It has two thin orange stripes on its head and the front part of its body. A wider yellowish or orange band is near its tail.
Young margined coralfish look a bit different. They have a stripe near their tail. They also have a false eyespot, called an ocellus, on their top fin. As they grow older, these marks fade away.
This fish has fins with strong spines and soft rays. Its top fin has 9 to 10 spines and 29 to 33 soft rays. The fin underneath its body has 3 spines and 21 to 22 soft rays. The margined coralfish can grow up to 18 centimeters (about 7 inches) long.
Where Does This Fish Live?
The margined coralfish is special because it lives only in Australia. You can find it along the coasts of northern Australia. Its home ranges from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia. It also lives in the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. You can also spot it in the reefs of the Coral Sea off Queensland.
Home, Habits, and Reproduction
This fish mostly lives on coral and rocky reefs near the coast. It can be found on the outer parts of reefs. It also likes drop-offs and islands close to the shore.
The margined coralfish is a carnivore, meaning it eats meat. It hunts for small creatures that live on the seafloor. Its favorite foods include crabs, shrimps, and tiny worms called polychaetes.
Usually, this fish lives by itself. However, when it's time to breed, they form pairs. They reproduce by laying eggs, which is called being oviparous.
Not a Common Pet Fish
You won't often see the margined coralfish in home aquariums. This is because it is rarely sent out of Australia for the pet trade.
Who Discovered This Fish?
The margined coralfish was first officially described in 1842. A Scottish naturalist named Sir John Richardson gave it its scientific name. He was also a naval surgeon and an arctic explorer. He found this fish near Port Essington in the Northern Territory of Australia.
