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Fish
Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish · Chaetodontidae
Butterflyfish bring colour to the reef, with bright patterns and fascinating behaviour when you are snorkelling or diving.
Fact file
- Size
- Depending on the species 12 to 22 cm long, with a laterally flattened, rounded body.
- Males and females
- Males and females look very similar externally.
- Sounds
- They produce clicking sounds that are inaudible to us, for protection or during courtship.
- Diet
- They feed mainly on coral polyps, algae and small invertebrates.
- Offspring
- During the spawning season they lay many small eggs that drift freely in the water.
How to identify Butterflyfish
Butterflyfish are impressive for their bright colours and distinctive patterns. Ranging from luminous yellow to vivid blue, with striking bands or spots, they stand out immediately on the reef. Many species have characteristic black lines around the eyes or running across the body.
With their mostly oval, laterally flattened bodies and slender profile, butterflyfish really do resemble a butterfly. The dorsal and anal fins are often elongated and look almost like fluttering wings. Adult butterflyfish reach sizes of 12 to 22 centimetres.
More in the app
With Wildful Stories+ you also get in the app:
- general viewing tips
- 4 places where you can see Butterflyfish
Where Butterflyfish live
Discover Butterflyfish on your trip.
The app shows you where and when to see wildlife along your route.
