Blackfin coralfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackfin coralfish |
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The Blackfin Coralfish, also known as Muller's Coralfish, is a special kind of butterflyfish. It's a marine fish, meaning it lives in the ocean. This fish is part of the Chaetodontidae family.
What makes the Blackfin Coralfish unique is that it's found only in Australia. It lives on coral reefs, making it a true Australian native!
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What Does the Blackfin Coralfish Look Like?
The Blackfin Coralfish is easy to spot with its long snout. Its body is mostly silvery-white. It has four wide, brown stripes that go up and down its body.
One of its most noticeable features is a big black spot. This spot looks like an eye and is found near the back fin on its top side. This fish can grow up to about 20.5 centimeters (about 8 inches) long.
Where Does This Fish Live?
The Blackfin Coralfish lives only in Australia. You can find it along the coast, from the Kimberley Islands in Western Australia. It also lives all the way to the southern part of the famous Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.
Home and Habits of the Coralfish
This fish likes to live in shallow coastal reefs. It prefers areas where there isn't much live coral. Instead, it likes places with mud, silt, or lots of algae on the seabed. You might even find it living in estuaries, which are areas where rivers meet the sea.
The Blackfin Coralfish can be found in waters as deep as 20 meters (about 65 feet). Adult fish are usually seen swimming around in pairs. Young Blackfin Coralfish, however, prefer to be by themselves.
This fish is a carnivore, which means it eats other animals. Its diet includes small worms, clams, tunicates (sea squirts), and crustaceans (like crabs or shrimp).
About Its Name
The Blackfin Coralfish was first officially described in 1879. A German scientist named Carl Benjamin Klunzinger gave it its scientific name, Chelmon muelleri.
The "muelleri" part of its name honors another German person. This was Ferdinand von Mueller, who was a doctor, geographer, and botanist.
Is It Found in Aquariums?
You don't often see the Blackfin Coralfish in home aquariums. When it does appear for sale, it can be quite expensive. This is because it's not commonly caught for the aquarium trade.
