Behavior
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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
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- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Conservation Status
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This species is not listed on any of the hot lists. It is the most common of the butterflyfish in the West Indies.
US Federal List: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
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- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Benefits
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Chaetodon capistratus are harvested for the aquarium trade. Their small size and attractiveness is ideal for an aquarium fish.
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
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- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- editor
- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Trophic Strategy
provided by Animal Diversity Web
Chaetodon capistratus is a browser who feeds on anthozoans preferring hexacoral such as scleractinians, anemones, and zoantharians (Birkeland and Neudecker, 1981). They are reef fishes that not only rely on the corals for habitat but also food. Anthozoans are readily available on coral reefs therefore it's not surprising that anthozoan tissue is their main diet. They are considered active generalists because anthozoans have minimal nutritional value and in order to make up for that loss, C. capistratus readily accepts fish eggs, worms or crustaceans when these foods are accessible. Having a mixing diet provides essential nutrients or a balanced diet for assimilation efficiency or both (Birkeland and Neudecker, 1981).
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
- author
- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Distribution
provided by Animal Diversity Web
Chaetodon capistratus is found in the western waters of the tropical Atlantic. Its latitudinal ranges are along the North and South American coasts, stretching from Massachusetts to Brazil as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean (Florida Museum of Natural History, 2001).
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
- author
- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- editor
- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Habitat
provided by Animal Diversity Web
They only occur in shallow coral reefs in depths of 2 - 20 meters. They seek shelter at night in crevices hiding from predators such as moray eel and various sharks (Florida Museum of Natural History, 2001).
Aquatic Biomes: reef
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
- author
- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- editor
- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Morphology
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Other Physical Features: bilateral symmetry
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- Wu, Q. 2002. "Chaetodon capistratus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html
- author
- Qing Qing Wu, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- editor
- Kimberly Schulz, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Brief Summary
provided by EOL authors
Chaetodon capistratus, the four-eyed butterfly fish or the foureye butterfly fish, is the type species of
Chaetodon, one of the 10 genera in the conspicuous butterflyfish family Chaetodontidae.
Chaetodon capistratus inhabits tropical coral reefs, sea grass beds and shallow waters in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina to Venezuela, and is the most common Carribean butterfly fish. The large white-ringed black eyespot at the base of the tail is more conspicuous that the fish’s actual eye, which is disguised with a black stripe - a color pattern thought to function in confusing predators about which is the front end. When cornered,
C. capistratus will raise its dorsal fin in a threatening posture. Four-eyed butterfly fish eat small benthic invertebrates. Adults are usually seen as individuals or in pairs, as they are one of a few fish species that mate for life. These small (7.5 cm total length) fish are harvested for their popular place in the aquarium trade. (Fessler and Westneat 2007;
Rocha 2010;
Froese and Pauly 2011;
Patton;
Wikipedia 2012)
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Hurleytrematoides Infestation 8. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Trophic Strategy
provided by Fishbase
Inhabits shallow reefs and generally occurs singly or in pairs. Feeds mainly on zoantharians, polychaete worms, gorgonians and tunicates. Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Is an active generalist when feeding on scleractinians (Ref. 8930). Sessile invertebrates feeder (Ref. 57616). Cleaned by Pederson's cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni) and goby (Gobiosoma evelynae and others) as observed on the coral reefs in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
Morphology
provided by Fishbase
Dorsal spines (total): 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 17 - 20; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 16 - 17
Life Cycle
provided by Fishbase
Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205). Monogamous mating is observed as obligate, genetic and social (Ref. 52884).
Diseases and Parasites
provided by Fishbase
Hurleytrematoides Infestation 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)
Diagnostic Description
provided by Fishbase
Large black spot surrounded by a white ring on body below rear of dorsal fin. Narrow, dark, diagonal lines that meet at mid-side, forming series of forward-pointing chevrons (Ref. 26938). Upper profile of head steep and slightly concave due to protruding snout; light gray, shading to pale yellowish on sides; a black bar on head; pelvic fins yellow (Ref. 13442).
Biology
provided by Fishbase
Inhabit shallow reefs and generally occurs singly or in pairs. Feed mainly on zoantharians, polychaete worms, gorgonians and tunicates. Easily approached (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Importance
provided by Fishbase
aquarium: commercial
Foureye butterflyfish
provided by wikipedia EN
The foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is a butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is alternatively called the four-eyed butterflyfish. This species is found in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to the West Indies and northern South America.[2]
Chaetodon capistratus is the type species of Chaetodon.[3] If this genus is split up as some have proposed, it will retain its present name like its closest relatives, which include the banded butterflyfish (C. striatus) and the spot-finned butterflyfish (C. ocellatus).[4]
Description and ecology
Foureye butterflyfish are deep-bodied and laterally compressed, with a single dorsal fin and a small mouth with tiny, bristle like teeth. The body is light grey, sometimes with a yellowish hue, and dark forward-pointing chevrons. The ventral fins are yellow. The species gets its common name from a large dark spot on the rear portion of each side of the body. This spot is surrounded by a brilliant white ring, resembling an eye. A black vertical bar on the head runs through the true eye, making it hard to see.[2]
This pattern may result in a predator confusing the back end of the fish for the front end. The foureye butterflyfish's first instinct when threatened is to flee, putting the false eye spot closer to the predator than the head. Most predators aim for the eyes, and this false eye spot may in automimicry trick the predator into believing that the fish will flee tail first. Other potential functions of the eye spot exist. The eye spots are larger and more variable than the real eye and eye spot shape varies from vertically oval in young to more circular in adults. These features suggest other possible functions of the eye spot including: intimidating prey, altering predation reaction distances, disorientating predators, serving as a general warning, or for social communication.[5] When escape is not possible, a foureye butterflyfish will sometimes turn to face its aggressor, head lowered and spines fully erect, like a bull about to charge. This may serve to intimidate the other animal or may remind the predator that the butterflyfish is much too spiny to make a comfortable meal.
Foureye butterflyfish usually frequent shallow inshore waters, where they feed on a variety of invertebrates, mainly zoantharians, sea anemones, scleractinians,[6] polychaete worms, gorgonians, tunicates, crustaceans and fish eggs.[7] This fish is known for its uncanny ability to swim in and around coral heads and reefs. They are able to find their way through the most intricate passages by swimming on its side or even upside down. Like its relatives they mate for life and therefore they will often be seen in pairs. They are one of a few fish that mate for life.[2]
Gallery
Chaetodon capistratus (foureye butterflyfish) image from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
References
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Foureye butterflyfish: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is a butterflyfish (family Chaetodontidae). It is alternatively called the four-eyed butterflyfish. This species is found in the Western Atlantic from Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to the West Indies and northern South America.
Chaetodon capistratus is the type species of Chaetodon. If this genus is split up as some have proposed, it will retain its present name like its closest relatives, which include the banded butterflyfish (C. striatus) and the spot-finned butterflyfish (C. ocellatus).
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Distribution
provided by World Register of Marine Species
Western Atlantic: Massachusetts, USA and Bermuda to West Indies and northern South America. Also Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico, and Antilles
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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Habitat
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nektonic
North-West Atlantic Ocean species (NWARMS)
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