Butterfly Fish Facts

The butterfly fish is a colorful marine fish, found mostly in coral reefs. This tropical fish is a common sight in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Butterfly fish and the angelfish look more or less similar due to the several similarities in their physical appearance. There are several interesting facts mentioned below. Let us take a look at it.

Facts About Butterfly Fish

• The butterfly fish and the coral fish belong to the family Chaetodontidae. There are more than 100 known species of this fish.
• When talking about their physical characteristics, it should be noted that the average length of these fish is about 5-9 inches. However, certain species like the saddle butterfly fish can grow up to 12 inches in length.
• The fish has a disc shaped body, uninterrupted dorsal fins and a rounded tail. Certain species also have eye-like spots on their backs or tails.
• Most of the species of the butterfly fish are very colorful, with red, yellow and orange shades and patterns on their body. However, one may also come across certain species of these fish that are dull colored.
• Butterfly fish develop specific plates on their body as protective armors during their period of reproduction. These plates disappear completely as the fish grow old.
• One of the characteristic differences between the angelfish and butterfly fish is that the butterfly fish has a pointed snout or an elongated nose; which is absent in the angelfish.
• Several species of this fish travel in schools. A solitary traveling fish is in search of a mate. When the fish finds its mate, they hunt, live and travel together for a life.
• One of the most interesting butterfly fish facts is that spawning in these fish occurs mostly at dusk. This is a natural mechanism used to increase the survival rate of the young ones.
• The fish are able to make quick and swift movements due to the constant strokes that they make with their pectoral fins.
• The African butterfly fish is a freshwater fish and is smaller in size than the other butterfly fish.
• It is more commonly kept as a pet than the saltwater butterfly fish.
• Due to the changes in environment, the coral reefs in the oceans are getting damaged. This has led to endangerment of most of the butterfly fish species.
• Among all the species, the golden butterfly fish are the most popular and sought-after ones. They have a bright yellow body and hence, are also known as yellow butterfly fish.

Quick Facts

• Common Name ~ Butterfly fish
• Location ~ Indian, Atlantic, Pacific Oceans
• Habitat ~ Tropical coral reefs
• Average size ~ 4in - 8in
• Life Span ~ 6 - 12 years
• Water Type ~ Saltwater
• Conservation Status ~ Endangered
• Color ~ Black, White, Silver, Yellow, Orange
• Diet ~ Omnivore
• Prey ~ Plankton, Coral, Crustaceans
• Predators ~ Fish, Eels, Sharks
• Distinctive Features ~ bright colors

You can visit the local aquarium to actually view the beauty of these fish. These fish make excellent pets and hence, if you are planning for the same, you can definitely think about it seriously. Ciao!