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Black-spotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon nigropunctatus) — Chaetodontidae

Black-spotted butterflyfish

Chaetodon nigropunctatus

The Black-spotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon nigropunctatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–15.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The black-spotted butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the northwest Indian Ocean, including the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a deep, grey-yellow body densely covered with fine black spots, with a dark band through the eye and a yellow tail. As a reef-dweller it often lives in pairs on coral and rocky reefs and picks coral polyps, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black-spotted butterflyfish?

The Black-spotted butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Black-spotted butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Black-spotted butterflyfish get?

The Black-spotted butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Black-spotted butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Black-spotted butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Black-spotted butterflyfish edible?

Yes, the Black-spotted butterflyfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstip-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Black-spotted butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Chaetodon nigropunctatus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Black-spotted butterflyfish; Dark butterflyfish; Mystery butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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