Chaetodipterus zonatus

The Pacific spadefish (Chaetodipterus zonatus) is a species of fish of the family Ephippidae. It is native to the eastern Pacific, from San Diego, California to Peru,[2] including is the Galápagos Islands where it is known as Chambo.[3]

Chaetodipterus zonatus
A school of Pacific Spadefish, Sta. Catalina, Panama.

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Ephippidae
Genus:
Chaetodipterus
Species:
C. zonatus
Binomial name
Chaetodipterus zonatus
(Girard, 1858)
Synonyms
  • Ephippus zonatus Girard, 1858

Appearance

C. zonatus has a very deep, compressed body with a blunt snout and a sloping, slightly concave profile. It has a small mouth with the posterior end of the jaw not passing the front of the eye. The maximum recorded size was 65 cm but more commonly reach a length of 25 cm.[2]

They have six black bars on their head and the side of their body, although in large adults these can be difficult to see.[4] Their dorsal fin is large and set well back on their body, the anal fin is opposite and of a similar shape; both have long spines. The pectoral and pelvic fins are small and the caudal fin is large and lunate. All the fins are black in colour.[5]

Habitat

C. zonatus is found in subtropical inshore seas, in areas with coral reefs or sandy bottoms, between 3–50 m.[2] They have also been seen occasionally in estuaries, mangroves and lagoons.[6] They normally form small schools and feed on benthic invertebrates.[2]

References
  1. Smith-Vaniz, B; Robertson, R.; Collette, B.; Dominici-Arosemena, A.; Molina, H.; Salas, E. & Guzman-Mora, A.G. (2010). "Chaetodipterus zonatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T178072A7491200. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T178072A7491200.en.
  2. "Chaetodipterus zonatus (Girard, 1858)". Fish Base. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  3. "Chaetodipterus zonatus". Galapagos Species Checklist. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  4. Fitch, John E.; Lavenberg, Robert J. (1975). Tidepool and Nearshore Fishes of California. University of California Press. pp. 61. ISBN 9780520028456.
  5. "Pacific Spadefish Chambo, Paguala Peluquera, Pollera Rayada (Chaetodipterus zonatus)". Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  6. "Chaetodipterus zonatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
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