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Who?

Family: Chaetodontidae
Species: Chaetodon striatus
Species ID: C.CS

Description: A small, disc-shaped fish with a pointed snout (1) and prominent spines at the leading edge of the dorsal fin (2). The body is pale silver or white, with a thin black vertical bar running through the eye and two thicker vertical body bars (3). The fins at the rear of the body are black and edged in white (4). Sexes appear similar and juveniles resemble adults with a large black spot, ringed in white, at the back of the dorsal fin

Maximum Size: 16 cm (6 in)
Longevity: Unknown, but likely to be about 10 years based on the longevity of close relatives
Status: Not currently on the IUCN endangered species list
Banded Butterflyfish & People: This species is not fished for food, but is often collected for export in the aquarium trade

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Where?

Geographical Range: Found throughout shallow waters of the Caribbean, North to New Jersey, and South to Brazil
Coral Reef Zone: Found primarily in the back reef and fore reef zones
Favourite Habitat: Banded butterflyfish spend their time over reefs or rocky bottoms that offer plenty of shelter
Depth Range: 3–20 m (10–60 ft)

A Day in the Life:

Dawn: Fish emerge from night-time shelters and become increasingly active
Day: Banded butterflyfish roam shallow reef areas in search of food
Dusk: Spawning occurs in deeper water just after sunset
Night: Banded butterflyfish find shelter from nocturnal predators within reef crevices

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Who Eats Who