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Ray-finned fish that inhabits shallow and coral-rich waters
Scientific Name:
Common Name: Blackfin Butterflyfish
Dimensions: It attains a total length of 12 cm.
Medium: model
Registration Number: RPN.2018.0171.1
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The chaetodon melapterus fish has a deep, compressed, and ovate body shape, with a small terminal mouth filled with brush-like teeth. Its caudal fin is rounded. The body is brightly coloured in yellow or orange-yellow, transitioning to sudden black colouring towards the back below the dorsal and anal fins' base and on the caudal peduncle. The body also features oblique orange to reddish lines, along with two vertical black bars on the head. The snout and chin's front portion is black. The dorsal and anal fins are black with a thin yellow edge, while the paired fins are yellow.
Habitat and Biology
This species inhabits shallow, coral-rich areas at depths up to 20 metres, where it occasionally forms aggregations. It feeds almost exclusively on coral polyps. It is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding.
ECO System Qatar
Coral reefs are colonies of tiny animals thriving in nutrient-poor marine waters, typically in shallow, productive regions on solid substrates. Composed of calcium carbonate secretions, they serve essential ecological, economic, recreational, and cultural roles. They offer shelter and sustenance to various marine life, protect coastlines from storms and erosion, support fishing and leisure activities, and are part of cultural heritage. Around 10% of Qatar's seabed is covered by coral reefs, vital to over 80% of the Gulf's fish species. Noteworthy Qatar reefs are near Halul Island, Othman Reef, and Khor Al Udaid. Unfortunately, these reefs are endangered, as evidenced by a significant decline in coral health.
PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Krupp, F., Mahnert, V., Saud bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, P., & Abuzinada, A. H. (Eds.). (Series: Fauna of Arabia, Volume 17). Fauna of Arabia. (Formerly Fauna of Saudi Arabia).