The Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis) is a tropical marine (saltwater) fish in the Chaetodontidae family of butterflyfish. It is also known as the False Falcula Butterflyfish.
The Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish has a flat, compressed, oval-shaped body. It is white with vertical, thin, black lines down its body and two dark saddles on its back. The fins and tail are bright yellow with a black spot on the tail. It has a black eye band, like a mask over its eyes. Its protruding snout (nose) is usually white.
It grows to about 15 centimetres (6 inches) in length.
The Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish is native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (in the Indo-Pacific region), from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and Japan. It prefers shallow coral reefs and lagoons in tropical oceans.
It is territorial, defending its territory from other fish.
It is mainly nocturnal, active at night. It feeds on small invertebrates, such as tubeworms, as well as algae and coral polyps. It also likes clams and molluscs.
The Pacific Double Saddle Butterflyfish is solitary or lives in small groups.
It forms a monogamous pair for life. It is oviparous. The female lays eggs which are free floating in sea water until they hatch.
Location of photographs: Aquarium de Paris-Cinéaqua, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM