Butterflyfish

Women‍‍`s Corner
June 21, 2022

Common Name: Butterflyfish

Scientific Name: Chaetodontidae

Type: Fish

Diet: Omnivore

Group Name: School

Size: 8 inches

Butterflyfish, with their amazing array of colors and patterns, are among the most common sights on reefs throughout the world.

Butterflyfish, also called butterflyfish, are any of the approximately 115 species of small, quick-moving marine fishes in the family Chaetodontidae (order Perciformes). Butterflyfishes are found among tropical reefs around the world, but are concentrated in the Indo-Pacific oceanic region. Butterflyfishes are deep-bodied and thin from side to side, with a single dorsal fin and a small mouth with tiny bristlelike teeth.

Butterflyfish look like smaller versions of angelfish (Pomacanthidae), but unlike these, lack preopercle spines on the gill covers. Some members of the genus Heniochus resemble the Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) of the monotypic Zanclidae. Among the paraphyletic Perciformes, the former is probably not too distantly related to butterflyfish, whereas the Zanclidae seem far less close.

Although some species are dull-colored, most wear intricate patterns with striking backgrounds of blue, red, orange, or yellow. Many have dark bands across their eyes and round, eye-like dots on their flanks to confuse predators as to which end to strike and in which direction they're likely to flee.

There are at least 114 species of butterflyfish. They have thin, disk-shaped bodies that closely resemble their equally recognizable cousins, the angelfish. They spend their days tirelessly pecking at coral and rock formations with their long, thin snouts in search of coral polyps, worms, and other small invertebrates.

Some butterflyfish species travel in small schools, although many are solitary until they find a partner, with whom they may mate for life.

Information collected from Google.