Orangebanded Coralfish

Coradion chrysozonus

The Orangebanded Coralfish, also known as the Goldengirdled Coralfish, is a marine ray-finned fish belonging to the butterflyfish family. It can be identified by its distinctive orange band that girdles its body, which is otherwise adorned with a series of vertical stripes. This species typically reaches a maximum length of 15 cm. Divers can encounter these fish either alone or in pairs, often in coastal to outer reef environments. They are particularly associated with areas that have rich invertebrate growth, such as sponge gardens, and are found at depths ranging from 3 to 60 meters. This fish is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, with sightings reported along the coast of Queensland, Western Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is less commonly observed along the Chinese coast and has been recently recorded in Tonga. The Orangebanded Coralfish is omnivorous, feeding mainly on sponges, but it also grazes on small invertebrates found on sponge surfaces. During breeding, these fish form pairs. They are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. The conservation status of the Orangebanded Coralfish is classified as Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List. Divers may find these fish in various reef habitats, where they contribute to the underwater ecosystem.