Chaetodon nigropunctatus (Sauvage, 1880)

Abstract

Chaetodon nigropunctatus or Black-spotted Butterflyfish inhabits shallow coral reefs and sandy lagoons rich in stony coral growth at depths between 3 - 15 m and feeds mainly on stony coral polyps. We report for the first time from Persian Gulf (Kish Island, Iran). Maximum length is 15 cm in Persian Gulf (Kish Island, Iran). C. nigropunctatus is indicator species for specific coral-feeding. The butterfly fish are found to be living both in groups and as an individual. They are found swimming in groups and sometimes they swim alone until they get a partner. C. nigropunctatus is oviparous breeders and monogamous, they form pairs during breeding. Spawning usually occurs at dusk. Females are often visibly distended with eggs when they are ready to spawn. The male swims behind and below the female, and here he uses his snout to nudge her abdomen. A common element among species seems to be an ascent into the water column to release gametes (eggs and sperm). After a few “false starts” the pair rises up into the water, the male’s snout against the female’s abdomen. They release a white cloud of gametes and rush back toward the bottom.