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Spotfin Butterflyfish

Spotfin butterflyfish

Chaetodon ocellatus

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Fun Facts

While courting a mate, these fish will chase each other and do special movements and displays, eventually breaking away from others to reproduce. 

Species Type:

Fishes

Common Name(s):

Spotfin butterflyfish

Size:

On average, spotfin butterflyfish grow to 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) in length.

Diet:

These fish eat sea anemones, worms, soft corals and smaller marine invertebrates.

Range & Habitat:

These fish live in the Western Atlantic, Florida to Brazil. Their larvae (babies) can be swept further northward by the Gulf Stream, and juvenile fish have been found as far north as Massachusetts.

Details:

The spotfin butterflyfish has an oval, white body with bright yellow fins. Near the back of the dorsal fin is a large dark spot. A thick black bar runs through their eyes. Often, one female and one male form a dedicated pair and defend their territory and forage for food.