| Blackback butterflyfish | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acanthuriformes |
| Family: | Chaetodontidae |
| Genus: | Chaetodon |
| Subgenus: | Chaetodon (Rabdophorus) |
| Species: | C. melannotus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chaetodon melannotus | |
| Synonyms2 | |
The black-backed butterflyfish or blackback butterflyfish (Chaetodon melannotus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the butterflyfish family Chaetodontidae. It is widespread through the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, Micronesia and Samoa.3
Taxonomy
With its genus, the blackback butterflyfish belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus, which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In this group, it appears to be a close relative of the spot-tailed butterflyfish (C. ocellicaudus), and it is somewhat less close to the yellow-dotted butterflyfish (C. selene). These are all of oval shape, have silvery coloration with yellow fins and snout, and have ascending diagonal stripes and black markings around the eyes, on the caudal peduncle and sometimes on the back. The saddle butterflyfish (C. ephippium) and the dotted butterflyfish (C. semeion) also seem related, but these are already so distant that their ancestors must have diverged soon after the Rabdophorus lineage started to diversify.45
Description
The blackback butterflyfish grows up to 18 cm (7.1 in) in length, and may live for up to 20 years. Normally, the coloration of this fish is as in the image on the right; however, when observed at night or frightened, it can change color. As a result, the dorsal portion of the body turns black, except for two white patches.3
Biology
Like most other species of butterflyfish, the blackback butterflyfish inhabits reefs. It is common on staghorn coral thickets, and is less seen on exposed parts of reefs. It is generally found at a depth of 4–20 m (13–66 ft), usually solitarily. This changes during the breeding season, when pairs are more common. Juveniles are more commonly found inshore, in pairs or traveling in small groups. This butterflyfish feeds primarily on the polyps of soft and hard corals.
Human interactions
The blackback butterflyfish can be found in the aquarium trade, and is easy to maintain in the aquarium by the standards of its genus.2
References
References
- Myers, R.F.; Pratchett, M. (2010). "Chaetodon melannotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010 e.T165689A6092221. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165689A6092221.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel, eds. (December 2019). "Chaetodon melannotus". FishBase.
- Lieske, E. & Myers, R.F. (2004). Coral reef guide – Red Sea. HarperCollins, London. ISBN 0-00-715986-2.
- Fessler, Jennifer L.; Westneat, Mark W (2007). "Molecular phylogenetics of the butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae): Taxonomy and biogeography of a global coral reef fish family". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 45 (1): 50–68. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2007.05.018.
- Hsu, Kui-Ching; Chen, Jeng-Ping & Shao, Kwang-Tsao (2007). "Molecular phylogeny of Chaetodon (Teleostei: Chaetodontidae) in the Indo-West Pacific: evolution in geminate species pairs and species groups" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement. 14: 77–86. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-08-11. Retrieved 2008-09-02.