Family : Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Melon butterflyfish
Fish Name : Chaetodon trifasciatus
Max size : 15.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 5372)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 2 - 20 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K>1)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian and Tuamoto islands. However, the Pacific population has been recognized as a distinct subspecies (Chaetodon trifasciatus lunulatus Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) by Burgess (Ref. 4855) while according to Randall, pers. comm. 1995, Chaetodon trifasciatus occurs only in the Indian Ocean, while Chaetodon lunulatus occurs only in the Pacific.
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 13-14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20-22; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Distinguished by the orange caudal peduncle (Ref. 48636). Tip of caudal fin is transparent.
Biology : Occur in coral-rich lagoons and semi-protected seaward reefs. Territorial and aggressive to other Chaetodon. Small juveniles secretive in corals (Ref. 48636). Swim in pairs. Feed exclusively on coral polyps, particularly of the Pocillopora type (Ref. 5503, 48636). Oviparous (Ref. 205), monogamous (Ref. 52884). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Myers, R.F.. 1991. (Ref. 1602)

India country information
Common Names : പക്കി ക്കടിയ , പക്കിക്കടിയന്, Handupholimas, Pakkikkadiya
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses