Dr. Robert A. Patzner, Österreich
Info
Parachaetodon ocellatus also commonly referred as Sixspine butterflyfish or Kite butterflyfish has four brown, broad bands across the body (5 bands as juveniles and 4 as adults). The snout is blunt. There is a black eye spot at the base of the tail fin with a less distinct false eye on the dorsal fin. Adults have a more pointed dorsal fin.
The Sixspine butterflyfish is distributed to the Indo-Pacific Ocean: from India and Sri Lanka to Fiji, north to Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, and south to northern Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales; sometimes seen in shallow bays and estuaries at a depth of 3 to 30 m and found over flat muddy bottoms and/or in seagrass beds. Usually alone but sometimes in smaller groups.
Parachaetodon ocellatus natural diet consists of algae and crustaceans, and possibly sponges. It is known to feed on coral polyps and small inverts. Unfortunately these beautiful fishes are popular in the aquarium trade although they are considered difficult to keep and feed.
Remarks:
Butterflyfish are not recommended for reefs as they will pick at or eat a wide variety of corals, fan worms, and other invertebrates. Most Butterflyfish are known to pick at Aiptaisia, a parasitic anemone.
Synonymised names:
Chaetodon oligacanthus Bleeker, 1850 · unaccepted
Chaetodon townleyi De Vis, 1884 · unaccepted
Parachaetodon osceillatus (Cuvier, 1831) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Platax ocellatus Cuvier, 1831 · unaccepted
The Sixspine butterflyfish is distributed to the Indo-Pacific Ocean: from India and Sri Lanka to Fiji, north to Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, and south to northern Great Barrier Reef and New South Wales; sometimes seen in shallow bays and estuaries at a depth of 3 to 30 m and found over flat muddy bottoms and/or in seagrass beds. Usually alone but sometimes in smaller groups.
Parachaetodon ocellatus natural diet consists of algae and crustaceans, and possibly sponges. It is known to feed on coral polyps and small inverts. Unfortunately these beautiful fishes are popular in the aquarium trade although they are considered difficult to keep and feed.
Remarks:
Butterflyfish are not recommended for reefs as they will pick at or eat a wide variety of corals, fan worms, and other invertebrates. Most Butterflyfish are known to pick at Aiptaisia, a parasitic anemone.
Synonymised names:
Chaetodon oligacanthus Bleeker, 1850 · unaccepted
Chaetodon townleyi De Vis, 1884 · unaccepted
Parachaetodon osceillatus (Cuvier, 1831) · unaccepted (misspelling)
Platax ocellatus Cuvier, 1831 · unaccepted
