Home · Chaetodontidae · Bank butterflyfish
Bank butterflyfish (Prognathodes aya) — Chaetodontidae

Bank butterflyfish

Prognathodes aya
LC · Least Concern

The Bank butterflyfish (Prognathodes aya) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
20.0–170.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The bank butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species has a deep, whitish body with yellow tints and two broad, oblique dark bands, including a band through the eye. It inhabits deep offshore reefs and is rarely seen by divers. With its somewhat elongated snout it picks small invertebrates from crevices of the reef. It is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bank butterflyfish?

The Bank butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Bank butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Bank butterflyfish get?

The Bank butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bank butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bank butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Bank butterflyfish edible?

The Bank butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bank-koraalvlindervis sourced
English name
Bank butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Prognathodes aya
Family
Chaetodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin 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)
20.0 verified
Max depth (m)
170.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Prognathodes

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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