General Description

Body very deep, compressed, head narrow with a pointed snout; scales tiny, extending well onto bases of the rounded dorsal and anal fins. Silvery-white with five or six broad black bands; juveniles with a black ocellus or "false eye-spot" on rear of dorsal and anal fins. Usually 20 cm long head to tail tip (up to 36 cm).

Biology

This species is easily recognised due to their banded pattern, similarity to tropical butterflyfishes, for which they are sometimes mistaken, and false eye-spots in juveniles. Adults are often seen in pairs near ledges and caves on coastal reefs, while juveniles inhabit shallow estuaries and protected bays, and may be seen in tide pools.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Inshore rocky reefs.

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