A long dorsal streamer trails behind a sharply banded body as it picks food from the reef.
- Local names
- Pahara tore
- Habitat
- Lagoon and reefOpen ocean
About this species
The body is strongly flattened from side to side, white towards the head and yellow towards the rear, with two bold black bands. A long filament extends from the dorsal fin. That streamer can lead to confusion with the threadfin butterflyfish, Chaetodon auriga.
Pairs and small groups occur in lagoons, passes and along the ocean-facing slope. Sponges make up much of the diet, supplemented by algae and tiny invertebrates. When feeding on these small particles, the fish must collect many mouthfuls.