Pebbled butterflyfish
A territorial, monogamous butterflyfish endemic to Hawaiian waters.
The pebbled butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus) is a marine fish belonging to the butterflyfish family Chaetodontidae. It grows to a maximum length of 12 centimeters (4.7 inches). Its body is white with spots, sometimes showing green or yellow tints, and is marked by five light brown vertical bands. A dark line runs along the underside from the anal fins, fading to yellow toward the pelvic fins. The dorsal and anal fins each have a black line running lengthwise about one-third of the way from the outer edge. The pelvic fins are white, the pectoral fins are clear, and the tail fin has a black crescent in the middle and a dark ring at its base. This species is often confused with the crochet butterflyfish (Chaetodon guentheri) or speckled butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus), but can be told apart by its vertical bands.
These fish are territorial and form monogamous pairs, especially for breeding. They aggressively defend a feeding territory together. Their diet is specialized, consisting mainly of coral polyps, polychaete worms, and small shrimps.
The pebbled butterflyfish is found only in the eastern central Pacific Ocean, specifically in waters around the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It lives near coral reefs and over rocky areas. It also appears in the aquarium trade.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Chaetodon
- Parent
- Chaetodon (Exornator)
- Species
- multicinctus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The pebbled butterflyfish reaches a maximum length of 12 centimeters. Its body is spotted and white, sometimes bearing shades of green and yellow, with five light brown bands crossing the side. A dark line extends from the anal fins along the ventral side, lightening to yellow toward the pelvic fins. The dorsal and anal fins have a black line running lengthwise about one-third from the outer margin. The pelvic fins are white, the pectorals transparent, and the caudal fin has a black crescent at its middle and a dark ring at its base. It is often mistaken for the crochet butterflyfish or speckled butterflyfish but can be distinguished by its vertical bands. Pebbled butterflyfish form pairs, especially for breeding, and are monogamous and aggressively territorial, defending a feeding territory. Their diet is fairly specialist, consisting of coral polyps, polychaete worms, and small shrimps.
Reader's Guide
The pebbled butterflyfish is a species of marine fish from the family Chaetodontidae, found near reefs in the eastern central Pacific and endemic to waters off the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. It reaches a maximum length of 12 centimeters and is white with yellow, brown, and black markings, including five light brown bands and a dark line on the ventral side. The species is territorial and forms monogamous pairs, especially for breeding, and aggressively defends a feeding territory. Its diet is specialist, composed of coral polyps, polychaete worms, and small shrimps. The pebbled butterflyfish has a role in the aquarium trade. It is often mistaken for the crochet butterflyfish or speckled butterflyfish but can be distinguished by its vertical bands. The species occurs near coral reefs and over rocks, and its distribution is limited to the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll.
More in Butterflyfish, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced