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,[1] including the Galápagos Islands where it is known as Chambo.[2]
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.[1]
They have six black bars on their head and the side of their body, although in large adults these can be difficult to see.[3] 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.[4]
C. zonatus is found in subtropical inshore seas, in areas with coral reefs or sandy bottoms, between 3–50 m.[1] They have also been seen occasionally in estuaries, mangroves and lagoons. They normally form small schools and feed on benthic invertebrates.[1]