Home · Chaetodontidae · Decorated butterflyfish
Decorated butterflyfish (Chaetodon semeion) — Chaetodontidae

Decorated butterflyfish

Chaetodon semeion
LC · Least Concern

The Decorated butterflyfish (Chaetodon semeion) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The decorated butterflyfish is a large butterflyfish from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a deep-yellow body studded with rows of fine dark spots, with a blue-black eye band and blue accents on the fins and forehead. As a reef-dweller it usually swims in pairs over rich coral reefs and feeds on polyps, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Decorated butterflyfish?

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

Where does the Decorated butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Decorated butterflyfish get?

The Decorated butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Decorated butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Decorated butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Decorated butterflyfish edible?

The Decorated butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Versierde koraalvlinder verified
English name
Decorated butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon semeion
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Dotted butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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

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