• English Name : Saddleback butterflyfish
  • Local Name : Asdhaanu bibee
  • Size :Max. 20 cm
  • Family : CHAETODONTIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 11 spines and 23-26 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 20-21 rays. Pectoral fin with 15 rays. Body depth 1.8 in standard length. Snout longer than eye.
  • Colour: White anteriorly and ventrally. Yellow dorsally and posteriorly. Black eye band, two black dorsal triangular saddles and a black bar on caudal peduncle. Verticle grey lines on sides.
  • Habitat and Biology: Generally seen in pairs or in small aggregations on coral reefs at depths between 3-15 m. Easy to approach by snorkelers.
  • Distribution: Indian Ocean.
  • Remarks: Chaetodon falcula is closely related to C. ulietensis Cuvier of the Pacific (in which the black
    dorsal bars are much more diffused). A popular aquarium fish.
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Biodiversity of Maldives
Biodiversity of Maldives