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Fish Shots

Reef butterflyfish

Chaetodon sedentarius

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Fun Facts

Reef butterflyfish have compressed bodies and small mouths that help them eat prey in narrow crevices and maneuver and hide on the reef.

Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Reef butterflyfish

Size:

Reef butterflyfish can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.

Diet:

Reef butterflyfish eat worms, shrimp and other small marine invertebrates.

Range & Habitat:

Throughout the western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, reef butterflyfish inhabit coral reef communities. They hide in crevices and holes along the reef.

Details:

Rectangular in shape, reef butterflyfish have a white belly, yellow highlighting on their dorsal side and vertical black stripes at the base of their tale and through their eyes. They have yellow fins and a yellow tail.