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French butterflyfish (Prognathodes guyanensis) — Chaetodontidae

French butterflyfish

Prognathodes guyanensis

The French butterflyfish (Prognathodes guyanensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
60.0–230.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Rp and others

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Description

The French butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from deeper reef water of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a deep, strongly laterally compressed, white with yellow and black markings body with a small, pointed snout. As a day-active fish it swims along steep reef and rock slopes and picks polyps, small invertebrates and algae with its snout-like mouth. It often lives in pairs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the French butterflyfish?

The French butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the French butterflyfish live?

The French butterflyfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Rp and others

How big does the French butterflyfish get?

The French butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the French butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the French 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
French butterflyfish sourced
Scientific name
Prognathodes guyanensis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
French butterflyfish; Guyana butterflyfish; Threeband butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.6 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
60.0 verified
Max depth (m)
230.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Belize, Cuba, Dominican Rp and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
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. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Prognathodes

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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