Indian butterflyfish (Chaetodon mitratus)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Chaetodontidae · Genus: Chaetodon.

Accepted name: Chaetodon mitratus · Authority: Günther, 1860 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218723.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Tetragonoptrus mitratus (Günther, 1860).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218723 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Chaetodon mitratus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 14 cm · Depth range: 22–80 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Not much is known of this deep-dwelling butterfly, but recent observations indicate that it can form small groups of up to 5 individuals and inhabits steep outer reef drop-offs in rubble areas or among growths of black coral and sea fans. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 8927) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chaetodon-mitratus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

40 georeferenced occurrence records for Chaetodon mitratus are published through GBIF from 12 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 22 distinct locations from a sample of 40 records; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Réunion (11); Mauritius (6); Maldives (5); British Indian Ocean Territory (3); Seychelles (3); Mayotte (3); Christmas Island (2); India (2); Mozambique (2); Cocos (Keeling) Islands (1); Tanzania, United Republic of (1); South Africa (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Madagascar; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Réunion Exclusive Economic Zone; Chagos; Seychellois Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385496) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385496&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218723 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Chaetodon mitratus Günther, 1860 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 165666) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165666/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385496) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385496/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The Indian butterflyfish has a yellow body which has two broad, black oblique bands which run across the flanks. There is a black eye band which shades to orange below the eye.

The pelvic fins, dorsal, anal and caudal fins are yellow. The dorsal fin contains 8 spines and 18–20 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 14–15 soft rays. This species attains a maximum standard length of 14 cm.

The Indian butterflyfish has a scattered distribution across the Indian Ocean and has been recorded from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and

Christmas Island in Australia, the Maldives Islands, Mauritius, Réunion, Amirante Islands and Cosmoledo Island in the Seychelles and the Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The Indian butterflyfish is a species of relatively deep water, living at depths between 22 and 80 m, commonly at 50 to 68 m. It has been encountered in small groups of up to 5 individuals on the steep outer drop-offs of reefs, in rubble areas and among areas where black coral and sea fans grow. It is an oviparous species which forms pairs to breed. This species feeds on zooplankton and benthic invertebrates.

The Indian butterflyfish was first formally described in 1860 by the German-born British zoologist Albert Günther (1830–1914) with the type locality given as Mauritius.

The Indian butterflyfish commands a high price in the aquarium trade because this deep water species is infrequently collected.

Source: Wikipedia: Indian butterflyfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_butterflyfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.