Threadfin butterflyfish :

EnglishName: Threadfin butterflyfish
Local Name : Naruvaa bibee
Size : Max. 20 cm
Family: CHAETODONTIDAE
Order : Perciformes
Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 13 spines and 23-25 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 19-21 rays. Pectoral fin with 14 or 15 rays. Body depth 1.5-1.8 in standard length. The fourth to sixth soft rays of adults prolonged to a filament.
Colour: White, but yellow posteriorly. A large black spot on soft portion of dorsal fin. A prominent black band through eye. Two series of grey slanting lines on body, meeting at right angles.
Habitat and Biology: Common in shallow protected reefs, also on outer reefs to depths of 30 m. Feeds on algae, polychaete worms and coral polyps.
Distribution: Indo-Pacific.
Remarks: Chaetodon auriga is one of the common Maldivian butterflyfishes. It is usually seen in pairs,
sometimes in the company of Chaetodon falcula.

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