| Citation |
|
Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: This species is very widespread from Socotra south to Natal, South Africa across the Indo-Pacific to the Line and Gambier Islands in Polynesia, north to southern Japan and south to central New South Wales, Lord Howe and Rapa Iti (G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006). Its geographic range is estimated to be ~76 million km2, from values estimated by Jones et al. (2002) based on projections of distribution maps from Allen et al. (1998). It is found at depth of 1-30m.
Countries occurrence:
Native:
American Samoa (American Samoa); Australia; British Indian Ocean Territory; Cambodia; China; Christmas Island; Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Comoros; Cook Islands; Fiji; French Polynesia; French Southern Territories (Mozambique Channel Is.); Guam; India (Andaman Is., Nicobar Is.); Indonesia; Japan; Kenya; Kiribati (Kiribati Line Is., Phoenix Is.); Madagascar; Malaysia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mayotte; Micronesia, Federated States of ; Mozambique; Myanmar; New Caledonia; Niue; Norfolk Island; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Réunion; Samoa; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Taiwan, Province of China; Tanzania, United Republic of; Thailand; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Wallis and Futuna
FAO Marine Fishing Areas:
Native:
Indian Ocean – western; Indian Ocean – eastern; Pacific – eastern central; Pacific – northwest; Pacific – southwest; Pacific – western central
Lower depth limit (metres): 30
Upper depth limit (metres): 1
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: This species is very abundant (e.g., mean of 1.3 individuals per 200 m2 in the northern Great Barrier Reef; Pratchett and Berumen 2008) throughout much of its geographical range. There have been slight declines in abundance recorded in Moorea, French Polynesia, between 1979 and 2003 (Berumen and Pratchett 2006), but it is otherwise stable (Pratchett et al. 2006).
Current Population Trend: Stable
Additional data:
?Population severely fragmented: No
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: This species occurs in most coral reef habitats, from inner coastal reef flats to outer seaward slopes. Occurs singly, in pairs, or in small groups. The diet consists of anemones, coral polyps, polychaete worms and algae. The species tolerates a wide range of ecological conditions including influx of freshwater near stream mouths and turbid water (G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006).
This species rarely consumes coral on the Great Barrier Reef (Pratchett 2005), but does so frequently in the Seychelles (Graham et al. 2006). It has declined at Moorea between 1979 and 2003 (Berumen and Pratchett 2006), though the explanation for this is unknown, given that it is not thought to be reliant on live coral.
Systems: Marine
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade: This species is frequently exported through the aquarium trade (Pyle 2001).
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s): While this species has exhibited long-term declines in Moorea, there is apparent no reason why this species should depend on live coral. There do not appear to be any other major threats to this species.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: There appear to be no species-specific conservation measures in place. This species is present within marine protected areas. Research is required to confirm or understand the apparent reliance on live corals for this species.
Citation: Myers, R. & Pratchett, M. 2010. Chaetodon vagabundus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T165630A6073181. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T165630A6073181.en. Downloaded on 18 March 2016.
Disclaimer: To make use of this information, please check the .
Feedback: If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea (Ref. 5372) and East Africa to the Line and Tuamoto islands, north to southern Japan, south to the Lord Howe and the Austral islands. Closely related to Chaetodon decussatus. |
