Melon butterflyfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Melon butterflyfish |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chaetodon
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| Species: |
trifasciatus
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The melon butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus), also called the Indian redfin butterflyfish, is a type of butterflyfish. It's a colorful fish that lives in the ocean. You can find it in the Indian Ocean, from East Africa all the way to Western Java.
It's related to other butterflyfish, like the blacktail butterflyfish (found in the Red Sea) and the oval butterflyfish (found in the western Pacific Ocean). Don't mix up the melon butterflyfish with other similar-sounding fish, like the chevron butterflyfish or the three-striped butterflyfish.
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What Does It Look Like?
The melon butterflyfish looks a lot like the oval butterflyfish and the blacktail butterflyfish. They all have similar colors.
The oval butterflyfish has a less noticeable dark patch below its dorsal fin (the fin on its back). Its anal fin (the fin on its belly) is mostly dark. The blacktail butterflyfish has black tail and anal fins.
Where Do They Live?
The melon butterflyfish lives in the Indian Ocean. You can find them from East Africa to Western Java. They usually live in water that is 2 to 20 meters deep.
They prefer coral-rich lagoons and reefs that are somewhat protected from strong currents. Young melon butterflyfish are shy and like to hide among the corals.
How Do They Behave?
Melon butterflyfish can grow up to 15 centimeters long. Adult fish usually swim around in pairs. They are monogamous, meaning they stay with one partner.
These fish can be territorial. This means they might act aggressive towards other butterflyfish that come into their space.
What Do They Eat?
Melon butterflyfish eat only coral polyps. They especially like to eat polyps from Pocillopora corals.
Reproduction
Melon butterflyfish are oviparous. This means the females lay eggs, and the young fish hatch from these eggs.
