Amphichaetodon

Lord Howe Butterflyfish ( Amphichaetodon howensis )

Amphichaetodon is a small, only two types of species of the butterfly fish ( Chaetodontidae ). The Lord Howe Butterflyfish ( Amphichaetodon howensis ) comes from the subtropical eastern Australia prior to Lord Howe Island, the other type, Amphichaetodon melbae is distributed solely to the small volcanic island off the coast of San Félix Chile.

Features

Amphichaetodon species are 11 to 18 inches long. They have high backs, their muzzle is short. The color is silvery- white melbae with wide black transverse bands at Amphichaetodon howensis and only half as narrow strips at Amphichaetodon.

Fins formula: Dorsal XII-XIII/21-23, Anal III/16-17.

System

Amphichaetodon is the sister group of a clade from Coradion, Chelmonops and Chelmon ..

Way of life

The two Amphichaetodon species occur in subtropical and cold waters where the water temperature is 12-20 ° C.. They feed on small invertebrates, such as amphipods, shrimps and worms. During the breeding season the fish come in pairs. Young fish live in shoals.

Species

• Lord Howe Butterflyfish, Amphichaetodon howensis ( Waite, 1903).
• Amphichaetodon melbae Burgess & Caldwell, 1978.