Chelmonops

Australian Eastern butterflyfish ( Chelmonops truncatus )

Chelmonops is a species-poor, only two, the other strongly similar types of species of the butterfly fish ( Chaetodontidae ). Both species live in the subtropical and temperate coasts of Australia and are about 20 inches long. They have high backs and drawn by a pattern of wide, black to brown and silvery white stripes. Dorsal and anal fins are extended and to emphasize the high body. The muzzle is long. Grown Chelmonops are territorial and live in pairs in rocky and coral reefs, estuaries and sheltered bays. Juveniles are solitary and carry a large eye spot in the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin. Chelmonops feed on algae and small invertebrates. They are closely related to the tropical Pinzettfischen the genus Chelmon and is regarded as its sister group.

Species

• South Australian butterflyfish ( Chelmonops curiosus ) Kuiter, 1986; comes from Perth to Adelaide before.
• Australian Eastern butterflyfish ( Chelmonops truncatus ) ( Kner, 1859) ( type species ); comes from Southern Queensland to New South Wales before and has a steeper head profile as Chelmonops curiosus.

An originally counted to the genus third type, the Lord Howe butterflyfish bears today howensis the scientific name Amphichaetodon.