Learning C# 3.0

Colophon

The animal on the cover of Learning C# 3.0 is a butterflyfish, which is a tropical marine fish from the family Chaetodontidae. Butterflyfish live mainly among the reefs of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Occasionally mistaken for angelfish (the angelfish is larger), butterflyfish can be recognized by their contrasting color patterns of black, orange, blue, red, or yellow. Their vibrant colors also make them a popular aquarium attraction.

Although the fish are striking in appearance, many species of butterflyfish do have the ability to fool their predators. In addition to swimming nimbly through coral reefs, the four-eyed butterflyfish is so named because of a large dark spot surrounded by a white ring on each side of the back of its body; predators often mistake these prominent dark spots for the butterflyfish’s eyes, which are smaller and partly obscured by a dark, vertical stripe.

While some butterflyfish never mate, others in the species will find a partner and remain monogamous for the rest of their lives. Once partnered, the two butterflyfish will find an area of coral reef that is suitable for them and will defend their home from others of its kind by changing the colors on their bodies, an act that is interpreted by intruders as an aggressive maneuver.

For food, the butterfly fish will peck at coral and rock formations and eat polyps, worms, and various small invertebrates. The fish’s particular eating habits may ultimately drive it to extinction, some scientists ...