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  • EnglishName: Yellowhead butterflyfish
  • Local Name : Boareendhoo bibee
  • Size : Max. 20 cm
  • Family: CHAETODONTIDAE
  • Order : Perciformes
  • Distinctive Characters: Dorsal fin with 14 spines and 23-25 rays. Anal fin with 3 spines and 21-23 rays. Pectoral fin with 15 rays. Body depth 1.6 in standard length. Snout plus upper jaw longer than eye. Dorsal head profile distinctly concave.
  • Colour: Body white-grey with about 5 angled lines. Snout, lower head, pelvic fins, anal and dorsal fins yellow.
  • Habitat and Biology: Omnivorous species. Usually found solitary or in pairs along the reef slope at depths of 5-25 m.
  • Distribution: Indian Ocean.
  • Remarks: Chaetodon xanthocephalus is not uncommon in Maldivian reefs. Once acclimated, it does well in aquariums.