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Family Chaetodontidae

TROPICAL PACIFIC

Chaetodon mertensii

Rainmaker Point, Tutuila, American Samoa, 40 feet

MERTEN'S or ATOLL BUTTERFLYFISH    Benio-chochouo

Uncommon in deep lagoons and reefs from 10 to 400 feet.  Feeds upon benthic invertebrates and algae.  Has U-shaped saddle lined with white on the forehead & crosshatch pattern on side.  May hybridize with C. xanthurus.  Attains 5 inches.  Okinawa, Philippines east to the Tuamotus.