Fin's Fish Guide
The Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellicaudus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.
Description
The spot-tail butterflyfish is a butterflyfish from the western Pacific, ranging from Malaysia and the Philippines to New Guinea and Palau. It grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, strongly compressed, mostly white and yellow body with black markings and a conspicuous dark spot on the caudal peduncle. It lives on coral-rich reef flats, in lagoons and on outer slopes between 3 and 50 metres depth and feeds on the polyps of soft corals. The fish usually occurs in pairs. Owing to insufficient data the IUCN lists the species as Data Deficient (DD).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Butterflyfish?
The Butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern. Dark blotch on the caudal peduncle; lives in pairs and eats soft coral polyps
Where does the Butterflyfish live?
The Butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Pacific
How big does the Butterflyfish get?
The Butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.
Is the Butterflyfish dangerous to humans?
No, the Butterflyfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Butterflyfish edible?
The Butterflyfish is not usually eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Chaetodon
More from the family Chaetodontidae
Want the complete picture on the Butterflyfish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Butterflyfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.