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Chaetodons and Pomacanthidae

M. Kulbicki 

 

Chaetodons lunula                              

 

These fish are rather close to the damselfishes. 

 

Chaetodons or butterflyfishes

 

The butterflyfishes are to be seen on the coral zones, some species feeding on coral polyps. They are curious and come often not far from the diver. Many butterflyfishes live in couples and are sedentary. They thus remain in a restricted perimeter not exceeding a few hundreds of mē. These fishes are relatively small (less than 20 cm) and have a slow growth and a rather weak recruitment. They are seldom fished, except for the greatest species (Chaetodon auriga, C.ephippium) which are relatively appraised.

 

Pomacanthidae or angelfishes 

 

The angelfishes are divided into three groups. On the one hand "Centropyge" which are herbivora of small size which generally live in couples in not very deep reef zones; on the other hand the angelfishes which are planctophages (Genicanthus spp.) and can be seen especially on the external slopes; finally the large angelfishes (Pomacanthus spp., Pygoplytes diacanthus) which prefer the large lagoons calm waters and feed on fixed invertebrates, in particular the sponges, "tuniciers" and "ascidies". The angelfishes have all slow growths and great longevities. They are seldom abundant in the atolls. These species are appraised for the aquariums in other areas of the Pacific.

update : 07/10/08

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