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Günther's Butterflyfish
Chaetodon guentheri Ahl, 1913
A Günther's Butterflyfish at Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales.
Above and below: Günther's Butterflyfish at a depth of 25m, Shark Point, Sydney, New South Wales.
Günther's Butterflyfish is mostly white to pale yellow with small dark spots that form irregular lines. The rear part of the body, soft dorsal fin and anal fin are yellow. A black bar passes through the eye.
This species grows to 14cm in length. It is found on rocky and coral reefs. Juveniles are usually seen at depths between 10-30m, whereas adults are found at depths from 20m to at least 50m.
Günther's Butterflyfish is found in tropical and temperate marine waters throughout the Western Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
Further reading
- Allen, G.R., Steene, R. & M. Allen. 1998. A Guide to Angelfishes & Butterflyfishes. Odyssey Publishing/Tropical Reef Research. Pp. 250.
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
