Butterfly fish have much in common with their cousins, angelfish; they tend to be much smaller, however. Inhabiting reef environments in tropical waters throughout the world, these brilliant little fish are intriguing to watch and can often be found schooling together. There are more than 120 marine butterfly fish species, plus an unrelated freshwater species that inhabits Africa’s lakes and rivers. Let’s take a look into the lives of the most commonly encountered species.
Lined Butterfly Fish
The lined butterfly fish can be found from the Red Sea to South Africa, as well as in reef environments around Japan and Hawaii. Some of the largest in the butterfly fish family, this species grows to be about 30 centimeters long. They are white, with thin black vertical bars that adjoin a thicker band of black at the base of the tail, and have bright yellow fins, with the exception of the pectorals, which are white. Sometimes seen in huge spawning aggregations, they are normally seen in pairs or on their own, at depths between 2 and 50 meters.
Saddle Butterfly Fish
Found in the Indo-Pacific region, all the way from Sri Lanka and the Cocos Islands to Hawaii, the Tuamoto Islands, and the Marqeusan Islands, as well as in southern Japan, Rowley Shoals, and Australia’s New South Wales, this large species grows to be nearly 30 centimeters in length. It has a distinct pointed snout, and is a yellowish-grey color, with wavy blue lines along its lower sides. A black “saddle” marking bordered by a white band at the bottom covers the rear dorsal surface to the base of the tail, and the fins are bordered in bright yellow. A thin, trailing filament extends from the dorsal fin. A vertical black mask at the eyes completes the fish’s showy look.
Foureye Butterfly Fish
From a distance, it’s hard to tell whether this fish is coming or going. Featuring a distinct black eye shaped spot near the base of its tail, which mimics the fish’s actual eyes, which are black and which are rimmed with a wide black band and a bright white ring, the fish have a chevron striped pattern in black over a light grey body which can take on a yellowish hue in some light conditions. This species not only tries to confuse predators with its coloration, it also has spines ahead of the dorsal fin, which it raises when threatened. This intriguing species is found in the western Atlantic region, in waters as far north as Massachusetts, as well as in Bermuda, the West Indies, and the northern portion of South America.
Teardrop Butterfly Fish
A small fish, growing to just about 16 centimeters in length, the teardrop butterfly fish has a yellow dorsal side and a white ventral surface with darker yellow markings at mid-body. The fish’s pectoral fins are clear, the anal and dorsal fins are yellow with black edges, and the tail is clear – from a distance, it looks as though the fish has barely any tail, which combined with its pointed face, lend it its name. With two wide black vertical bands, one at either end of the body, as well as a an upside down teardrop in black that extends from the bottom of the dorsal fin to almost encircle the abdomen, this fish is extremely showy. Often found in pairs, and sometimes swimming solo, it is normally found in shallow reef environments up to a depth of about 20 meters, and inhabits waters from Hawaii south to central Polynesia. It is also found in Micronesia, the East Indies, Melanesia, the Indian Ocean, and the African coast.
Pyramid Butterfly Fish
Named for the big, white, pyramid-shaped patch on each side of its body, the Pyramid butterfly fish is often seen in shoals containing hundreds or even thousands of individuals, in areas near walls and drop-offs. It normally inhabits water between 3 and 60 meters deep, and is found throughout the Western and Central Pacific, from Southeast Asia to the Coco-Keeling Atoll, to Christmas Island. It is also found in Japan, Australia, the Pitcairn Islands, and Hawaii. Growing up to just 18 centimeters long, these fish have bright yellow faces, fins, and tails; older fish have brown to black faces.
Sunburst Butterfly Fish
Also known as the Black-Lipped Butterflyfish, and sometimes referred to as the Papillon, these fish grow to only 15 centimeters in length. Found in the Galapagos, Hawaii, Samoa, New Caledonia, Japan, Australia, Hawaii, the Red Sea, and East Africa, it is typically encountered at depths between four and sixty meters. Its body is a yellow to orange-brown color, with one to two white or beige vertical bars that begin below the dorsal fin and extend to the belly. Vertical black bars mask the eyes, and while the snout is black, it is separated from the eye region by a white band. Some fish have dotted horizontal stripes on their side, and some, particularly those in Eastern regions, have a dark band between the lighter ones.
Ornate Butterfly Fish
A fantastic and somewhat large species also known as the Clown Butterfly, this fish grows to be about 20 centimeters long. Sporting slanted golden bars across a lighter silver body, this fish has yellow fins edged in black, with the exception of the pectoral fins, which are clear. Its face features bold black and yellow stripes, and its tail has a black stripe at the base of the fin. Adults form monogamous pairs, and juveniles often take shelter among branching corals. These fish are normally encountered on seaward reefs and patch reefs, existing only in areas where acropora corals are abundant, as they graze on these corals as their sole food source. Found throughout the Indo-Pacific and in Hawaii, they are typically encountered at depths no greater than 36 meters.
These are just a few of the many butterfly fish species you’ll encounter while diving. As with other colorful reef fish, they are often captured for the aquarium trade, and sadly, many of these species, particularly those that graze on coral, are not suited to captive life. In some areas, they are protected, but in others, they are hunted aggressively. While most are abundant today, they are subject to loss of habitat and some are showing up on IUCN’s threatened species list. By promoting conservation and doing all we can to protect our reefs, we can help these fish and others survive for future divers to enjoy.