• English Name : Teardrop butterflyfish
  • Local Name : Dhon bibee
  • Size : Max. 20 cm
  • Family : CHAETODONTIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 21-23 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 18-20 rays. Pectoral fin with 14-15 rays. Body depth 1.4-1.6 in standard length. Snout robust. Jaws strong.
  • Colour: Bright yellow. Black eye stripe, dorsal spot (which may be round or shaped like an inverted teardrop) and striped along posterior margin across caudal peduncle. Tail pale.
  • Habitat and Biology: Common in outer reefs to depths of 20 m. Usually seen in pairs. Feeds on coral polyps, soft corals, sponges, polychaetes and algae.
  • Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
  • Remarks: The Pacific form of Chaetodon unimaculatus differs from the Indian Ocean form by having
    broader eye stripes which join on the chest, and the sides are much paler yellow in colour.
Back to fishes
Biodiversity of Maldives
Biodiversity of Maldives