Melon butterflyfish
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- Name / Latin
- Melon butterflyfish — Chaetodon trifasciatus
- Brief description
- The melon butterflyfish is a reef butterflyfish of the Indian Ocean, usually up to 15 cm. The body is strongly flattened; main colour is light yellow to yellowish with thin oblique bluish-blue lines on the sides. It has dark bands: one through the eye ("mask"), a broad band just behind the head and a dark area at the tail base. Adults are often seen in pairs and feed mainly on hard coral polyps.
- Size:
- up to 15 cm
- Depth:
- 2–20 m
- Habitat:
- Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Andaman Sea
- Family:
- Chaetodontidae
- Type:
- Fish
- Activity:
- Diurnal
- Conservation status:
- Least Concern (LC) — not threatened with extinction according to IUCN assessment
The melon butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) is a bright, colourful fish usually reaching about 15 cm. It has a flattened body typical of butterflyfish. The body is mainly yellow with a series of vertical blue lines. There are three clear black bands: one through the eye, one just behind the head and one at the tail base. The dorsal fin is continuous and has the same pattern. Its striking appearance makes it easy to recognise among reef fish.
The melon butterflyfish lives in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, from the east coast of Africa to the islands of the central Indian Ocean. It mainly inhabits coral reefs, often at depths of 1 to 20 metres. These fish prefer areas with plenty of coral growth, which provide food and shelter.
The melon butterflyfish reproduces by external fertilisation. In the breeding season males and females perform courtship displays. The female releases eggs into the water, which the male then fertilises. The eggs are pelagic and drift in open water until they hatch. The larvae go through a planktonic stage before settling on the reef as juveniles.
The diet of the melon butterflyfish consists mainly of coral polyps, so they are coral feeders. They eat the soft tissue of corals, especially Acropora and Pocillopora. They also take small invertebrates and algae as part of their diet.
They are known for being shy and peaceful. Although they may approach divers out of curiosity, they are not dangerous.
