Prognathodes falcifer (Hubbs & Rechnitzer, 1958)
Scythemarked butterflyfish
photo by Gotshall, D.W.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 150 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Santa Catalina Island, southern California, USA to Peru, including the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 19-20; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 14-16
Biology:  Usually solitary. Found in rocky, boulder strewn areas (Ref. 5227). Close relatives are known to pinch off and eat tube feet of sea urchins and other echinoderms. Also feed on crustaceans, worms and other small invertebrates (Ref. 4930). Because they live in relatively deeper waters, they are seldom collected, thus, rarely seen in the aquarium trade (Ref. 4930). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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