Teleostei (teleosts) >
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes) >
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Etymology: Chaetodon: Greek, chaite = hair + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335); smithi: Named for Dr. C. Lavett Smith, AMNH.
Eponymy: Clarence Lavett Smith, Jr. (1927–2015) was an American ichthyologist who spent most of his career at the AMNH. Among his many publications was: Fish watching – an outdoor guide to freshwater fishes (1994). (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
More on author: Randall.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 80 m (Ref. 89972), usually 10 - 30 m (Ref. 9710). Subtropical
Eastern Pacific: known only from Pitcairn, Rapa, and Ilots de Bass (Marotiri) (Ref. 4858). Photographed from Easter Island.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 19.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2272)
Abundant in algal covered rocky reefs often in large aggregations (Ref. 9710). A mid-water plankton feeder (Ref. 4858). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Allen, G.R., 1985. Butterfly and angelfishes of the world. Vol. 2. 3rd edit. in English. Mergus Publishers, Melle, Germany. (Ref. 4858)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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![Image of Chaetodon smithi (Smith\](/images/thumbnails/jpg/tn_Chsmi_u2.jpg "Image of Chaetodon smithi (Smith\")
