Butterfly Fish
Butterfly fishes at a Glance
🔬 Scientific family: Chaetodontidae
📏 Size: Approximately 10–30 cm (4–12 in), depending on the species
🌊 Habitat: Coral reefs, rocky reefs and reef slopes
⬇️ Depth: Mostly shallow to moderately deep reefs; some species occur much deeper
🍤 Diet: Small invertebrates, coral polyps, algae and plankton, depending on the species
🌎 Distribution: Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, including the Caribbean
🐠 Behaviour: Often solitary or in pairs; some species form small groups
🥚 Reproduction: Eggs and sperm are released into the water column
👁️ Special feature: Many species have a dark stripe through the eye and some have a false eyespot near the tail
💞 Pairs: Many butterflyfishes form long-term pair bonds and are frequently seen swimming together
🐣 Juveniles: Young fish may have different markings and proportions from adults
♻️ Ecological role: Important reef feeders; some species are closely associated with living coral
🏝️ Curaçao, Bonaire & Aruba: Common species include the Foureye Butterflyfish, Banded Butterflyfish, Spotfin Butterflyfish and Longsnout Butterflyfish
👀 How common: Common to fairly common, butterflyfishes are regularly seen by both snorkellers and divers around the ABC islands, although the Longsnout Butterflyfish is rare and lives at greater depts.
What Makes Them Special?
Butterflyfishes are among the most elegant fish on the reef, with their thin, disc-shaped bodies and long, pointed snouts. Their small mouths are perfect for picking tiny invertebrates and coral polyps from places that larger fish cannot reach.
Many butterflyfishes are often seen in pairs
Another charming feature is their social life. Many butterflyfishes are often seen in pairs, and in some species these partnerships can last for years. If you spot one on the reef, it is always worth looking nearby, its partner may not be far away.
Many species have a dark stripe hiding the eye, and some also have a false eyespot near the tail. This may confuse predators about which end of the fish is the head, giving the butterflyfish a better chance to escape.