Prognathodes aculeatus | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Chaetodontidae |
Genus: | Prognathodes |
Species: | P. aculeatus
|
Binomial name | |
Prognathodes aculeatus (
Poey, 1860)
| |
Synonyms | |
Chaetodon aculeatus |
Prognathodes aculeatus, the longsnout butterflyfish, is a species of butterflyfish found in tropical West Atlantic waters. It is also known as the butterbun, the Caribbean longsnout butterflyfish or Poey's butterflyfish. [2] This species should not be confused with the banded longsnout butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus). [3]
The longsnout butterflyfish was first described in 1860 by Felipe Poey y Aloy and Albert C. L. G. Günther in two separate reports. [4] [5] Between them the fish was given three separate scientific names each one in a different genus, though Poey's assignment of the species to Prognathodes is the only valid combination. [5] [4] [2] It was again described in 1880 by Sauvage who gave it yet another scientific name that has since been synonymized into P. aculeatus. [6]
An average of 2 to 3 in (5–7.5 cm) long, the longsnout butterflyfish is commonly known for its namesake long snout that is much more distinctive than those of similar species. [7] They also have a dusky to yellow colored stripe that runs almost vertically from the top of the head to the eyes (unlike the stripes on other butterflyfishes which extend past the eyes). [7]
The upper half of the longsnout butterflyfish is yellow that changes to orange and again darkens to brownish-orange. [7] The dorsal fin of the fish is usually black. [7]
Fairly common throughout its range, the longsnout butterflyfish is found on natural and artificial reefs, usually 30 to 200 ft (10–60 m) in depth. [2] [8] It can be found off Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Venezuela. [2]
Longsnout butterflyfish are much more solitary than many other members of their family. [7] [8] They also inhabit deeper reefs and spend much of their time foraging in recesses for invertebrates. [2] [9] It is also known to eat the tube feet of sea urchins and tube worm tentacles. [2] [9] Unlike many other members of its family, the longsnout butterflyfish does not pick parasites from other fish. [10]
Prognathodes aculeatus | |
---|---|
![]() | |
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Chaetodontidae |
Genus: | Prognathodes |
Species: | P. aculeatus
|
Binomial name | |
Prognathodes aculeatus (
Poey, 1860)
| |
Synonyms | |
Chaetodon aculeatus |
Prognathodes aculeatus, the longsnout butterflyfish, is a species of butterflyfish found in tropical West Atlantic waters. It is also known as the butterbun, the Caribbean longsnout butterflyfish or Poey's butterflyfish. [2] This species should not be confused with the banded longsnout butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus). [3]
The longsnout butterflyfish was first described in 1860 by Felipe Poey y Aloy and Albert C. L. G. Günther in two separate reports. [4] [5] Between them the fish was given three separate scientific names each one in a different genus, though Poey's assignment of the species to Prognathodes is the only valid combination. [5] [4] [2] It was again described in 1880 by Sauvage who gave it yet another scientific name that has since been synonymized into P. aculeatus. [6]
An average of 2 to 3 in (5–7.5 cm) long, the longsnout butterflyfish is commonly known for its namesake long snout that is much more distinctive than those of similar species. [7] They also have a dusky to yellow colored stripe that runs almost vertically from the top of the head to the eyes (unlike the stripes on other butterflyfishes which extend past the eyes). [7]
The upper half of the longsnout butterflyfish is yellow that changes to orange and again darkens to brownish-orange. [7] The dorsal fin of the fish is usually black. [7]
Fairly common throughout its range, the longsnout butterflyfish is found on natural and artificial reefs, usually 30 to 200 ft (10–60 m) in depth. [2] [8] It can be found off Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Venezuela. [2]
Longsnout butterflyfish are much more solitary than many other members of their family. [7] [8] They also inhabit deeper reefs and spend much of their time foraging in recesses for invertebrates. [2] [9] It is also known to eat the tube feet of sea urchins and tube worm tentacles. [2] [9] Unlike many other members of its family, the longsnout butterflyfish does not pick parasites from other fish. [10]