In situ observations confirm that the wrought-iron butterflyfish Chaetodon daedalma is a facultative corallivore.

Abstract

Here, we provide the first in situ observations of foraging habitats of Chaetodon daedalma, which is endemic to the subtropical north-west Pacific. Overall, 62.4% of bites were from the substratum, 30.7% from scleractinian corals, 3.3% from crustose coralline algae, 2.1% from macroalgae, and 1.2% from hydroids. The range in the percentage of bites taken from scleractinian corals among individuals was 0%-76%, and no fish fed exclusively on coral. Our in situ feeding observations confirm that the species is a facultative corallivore.