Butterflyfish (Family: Chaetodontidae)

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Actinopterygii
• Order: Perciformes
• Family: Chaetodontidae

Types of Butterflyfish:

There are over 130 species of butterflyfish, mainly in the Chaetodon genus. Some well-known species include:

• Raccoon Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula)
• Copperband Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus)
• Threadfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon auriga)
• Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus)
• Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus)

Habitat:

• Found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
• Prefer coral reefs, rocky shores, and lagoons.
• Typically swim at depths of 1–50 meters, but some species venture deeper.
• Commonly seen in shallow reefs where they feed among coral and rock crevices.

Diet:

• Mostly omnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates, coral polyps, and algae.
• Some species specialize in feeding on sponges or plankton.
• The Copperband Butterflyfish has a long snout used to pick at small crustaceans in cracks.

Lifespan:

• Typically 5–7 years, though some can live up to 10 years in the wild.
• In captivity, they may have shorter lifespans due to stress or diet restrictions.

Sexual Differences (Dimorphism & Mating):

• No major visible differences between males and females.
• Butterflyfish form monogamous pairs and often stay together for life.
• During spawning, pairs rise toward the surface to release eggs and sperm into open water.

How to Spot a Butterflyfish:

• Bright, vivid colors – commonly yellow, white, blue, or orange.
• Thin, oval-shaped, laterally compressed bodies, ideal for maneuvering through corals.
• Distinctive eye-stripes and false eyespots near the tail to confuse predators.
• Small, protruding mouths, often adapted for picking at coral or tiny organisms.

Countries Where Butterflyfish Are Found:

• Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Coral Sea)
• Indonesia (Raja Ampat, Bali, Komodo)
• Philippines (Tubbataha, Cebu, Palawan)
• Hawaii & Pacific Islands
• Japan (Okinawa, Izu Islands)
• Maldives & Indian Ocean reefs
• Red Sea (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan)
• Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa
• Caribbean (Belize, Bahamas, Florida Keys, Mexico