Home · Chaetodontidae · Baroness butterflyfish
Baroness butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) — Chaetodontidae

Baroness butterflyfish

Chaetodon baronessa
LC · Least Concern

The Baroness butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The eastern triangular butterflyfish is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a deep, triangular body with a pattern of narrow, V-shaped (chevron) lines and a dark face. It occurs on lagoon and seaward reefs. It is a specialised coral eater (corallivore) that feeds almost exclusively on the polyps of branching stony corals, especially Acropora. Pairs defend a territory around their coral food source. Owing to its coral diet the species is difficult to keep in the aquarium. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Baroness butterflyfish?

The Baroness butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a flame-patterned pattern.

Where does the Baroness butterflyfish live?

The Baroness butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Baroness butterflyfish get?

The Baroness butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Baroness butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Baroness butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Baroness butterflyfish edible?

The Baroness butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Driehoek-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Baroness butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon baronessa
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Eastern triangle butterflyfish; Eastern triangular butterflyfish; Herringbone coralfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Flame-patterned inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →