They are probably quite close to the subgenus "Citharoedus" (the name is a junior homonym of a mollusc genus), which contains the scrawled butterflyfish (C. meyeri).

[4][5] Oval butterflyfish can be found in the Pacific Ocean[6] from Japan and Australia to the North and South and Hawaii and the Tuamotu Islands to the East.

[7] The oval butterflyfish is a widespread corallivore[8] and has been found to feed on 51 different types of coral, including Acropora florida, A. gemmifera, A. hyacinthus, A. intermedia, and Pocillopora damicornis.

A 2004 study found a noticeable decline in the physiological condition of the oval butterflyfish before and immediately after a coral bleaching event, possibly leading to reductions in survivorship.

[9] A 2006 study found a significant decline in the abundance of various species of butterflyfish (including C. lunulatus) after a bleaching event in the Great Barrier Reef.

[9] Only obligate coral-feeding butterflyfishes, such as C. lunulatus, and not facultative or non-coral feeders displayed reductions in abundance.