Chaetodipterus zonatus
Chaetodipterus zonatus | |
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A school of Pacific Spadefish, Sta. Catalina, Panama. | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Ephippidae |
Genus: | Chaetodipterus |
Species: | C. zonatus |
Binomial name | |
Chaetodipterus zonatus (Girard, 1858) | |
Synonyms | |
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Chaetodipterus zonatus (Pacific spadefish) is a species of fish belonging to the Ephippidae family. It is native to the eastern Pacific, from San Diego, California to Peru,[2] including is the Galápagos Islands where it is known as Chambo.[3]
Appearance
C. zonatus has a very deep, compressed body with a blunt snout and a slopping, slightly concave profile. It has a small mouth with the posterior end of the jaw not passing the front of the eye. The maximum recorded size was 65 cm but more commonly reach a length of 25 cm.[2]
They have six black bars on their head and the side of their body, although in large adults these can be difficult to see.[4] Their dorsal fin is large and set well back on their body, the anal fin is opposite and of a similar shape; both have long spines. The pectoral and pelvic fins are small and the caudal fin is large and lunate. All the fins are black in colour.[5]
Habitat
C. zonatus is found in subtropical inshore seas, in areas with coral reefs or sandy bottoms, between 3–50 m.[2] They have also been seen occasionally in estuaries, mangroves and lagoons.[6] They normally form small schools and feed on benthic invertebrates.[2]
References
- ↑ Smith-Vaniz, B; Robertson, R.; Collette, B.; Dominici-Arosemena, A.; Molina, H.; Salas, E. & Guzman-Mora, A.G. (2010). "Chaetodipterus zonatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 "Chaetodipterus zonatus (Girard, 1858)". Fish Base. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ↑ "Chaetodipterus zonatus". Galapagos Species Checklist. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ↑ Fitch, John E.; Lavenberg, Robert J. (1975). Tidepool and Nearshore Fishes of California. University of California Press. p. 61. ISBN 9780520028456.
- ↑ "Pacific Spadefish Chambo, Paguala Peluquera, Pollera Rayada (Chaetodipterus zonatus)". Retrieved August 9, 2012.
- ↑ "Chaetodipterus zonatus". IUCN Red List. Retrieved August 9, 2012.