Chaetodon oxycephalus Bleeker, 1853
Spot-nape butterflyfish
Spotnape butterflyfish,  Pig-face butterflyfish,  Spot-nape butterflyfish
Chaetodon oxycephalus
photo by Allen, G.R.

Family:  Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 40 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Sri Lanka to Queensland, north to the Philippines.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 11-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 18-20. Description: Body is white with a large black blotch on the upper posterior portion of the trunk and thin vertical lines on the sides. A black bar runs across the eye. The fins are bright yellow (Ref. 2334). Snout length 2.1-2.6 in HL. Body depth 1.7-2.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Found in coral-rich areas of coastal reefs, feeding mainly on coral polyps and anemones (Ref. 9710). Occurs solitarily or in pairs (Ref. 90102). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 October 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Queensland (Ref. 75154). Also Ref. 2334.


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