Butterflyfish is a colorful fish that lives around coral reefs in tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas. There are about 115 species of butterflyfish. Many are popular in home aquariums. Butterflyfish have thin, oval bodies and measure about 4 to 9 inches (10 to 23 centimeters) long. Almost all species of butterflyfish have a dark, vertical bar on the head that passes through the eyes. Most species also have patterns of bars, stripes, lines, spots, or other markings on the body.
Loading the player...Spotfin butterflyfish
Butterflyfish feed on algae and small animals on or near coral reefs. Some species have long snouts that allow them to reach into narrow cracks in coral for food. A few species of butterflyfish feed on plankton (tiny water organisms) in waters above the reefs. Most butterflyfish search for food during the day and rest in the reefs at night.
The foureye butterflyfish is common in the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Brazil. Young foureye butterflyfish have two dark spots called eyespots, on each side of the body toward the rear. Adult foureyes have only one eyespot on each side. The eyespots are believed to help protect the fish from its enemies. Predators confuse the rear end of the fish with the front end and do not know which end to attack.
