Lined butterflyfish (Chaetodon lineolatus)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Chaetodon lineolatus · Authority: Cuvier, 1831 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218734.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Anisochaetodon lineolatus (Cuvier, 1831); Chaetodon lieneolatus Cuvier, 1831; Chaetodon lunatus Cuvier, 1831; Chaetodon tallii Bleeker, 1854; Tetragonoptrus lineolatus (Cuvier, 1831).

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218734 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

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

Maximum length: 30 cm · Depth range: 2–171 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 20 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Occur in lagoon and seaward reefs, usually in pairs in coral rich areas (Ref. 1602). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Feed mainly on coral polyps and anemones, but also on small invertebrates and algae (Ref. 1602). Largest species in the genus (Ref. 9710). Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5564) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chaetodon-lineolatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

3,609 georeferenced occurrence records for Chaetodon lineolatus are published through GBIF from 57 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 359 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 37 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (1,983); Egypt (270); New Caledonia (231); United States of America (164); Indonesia (108).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 9619603) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=9619603&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218734 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Chaetodon lineolatus Cuvier, 1831 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 165669) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165669/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 9619603) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/9619603/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

It belongs to the large subgenus Rabdophorus, which might warrant recognition as a distinct genus. In this group, it is sister to a clade composed of the spot-naped butterflyfish (C. oxycephalus), the peculiar black-wedged butterflyfish (C. falcula), and the Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish or "false falcula" (C. ulietensis). These four differ wildly in shape, but all have bluish vertical lines on a white body with yellow behind, and black on back and caudal peduncle in addition to the typical eyestripe of Chaetodon. The blue-cheeked butterflyfish (C. semilarvatus) is in turn sister to this entire clade, but it also has the tell-tale blue vertical lines.

Lined butterflyfish may grow up to 30 cm long, which among Chaetodon is matched only by the saddle butterflyfish (C. ephippium), making them about as big as dinner plates. They are white in color, with thin black vertical bars which join a thick black band at the base of the tail and dorsal fin. The tail, dorsal, and anal fins are yellow.

The species occurs along the east coast of Africa including the Red Sea and Mozambique Channel, throughout Northern Australia including the Coral Sea, Gulf of Carpentaria, and Timor Sea, and throughout West Indo-Pacific including the Java Sea, South China Sea, Philippine Sea, and Celebes Sea.

This uncommon fish is found in pairs or swimming alone, or occasionally in spawning aggregations. It occurs between 2 and 50 m depth, in coral-rich areas of reefs and lagoons.

Coral polyps, small anemones, algae and invertebrates make up the lined butterflyfish's diet. It is known to be territorial. This territorialism is connected to their highly specific feeding habits that is located on certain areas.

The species can reach an age of up to ten years.

Larvae of fish in the family Chaetodontidae have a random distribution pattern causing them to settle either in the same habitats as adult conspecifics; habitats with high coral cover; or habitats completely different from those used by adult conspecifics. Juveniles that are not in an adult habitat live in their current habitat until reaching maturity. Once they reached post-settlement growth of greater than 100 mm, they migrate to adult habitats if they are not already in that environment.

Very little is known about the spawning of butterflyfish as a whole, however it is believed that they spawn near their feeding habitats during new moon. The lined butterflyfish mates in lifelong monogamous relationships. However, the male chooses to either stay with its one mate or leave and find another mate. This appears to maximize their fecundity. Lined butterflyfish are social maters, meaning they spend time with their mate outside of just spawning often living together in the same habitat. The species however exhibits little to no parental care to their young.

The species is preyed on by many larger marine predators including sharks, eels, and snappers; predation may be intensified by loss of habitats and feeding grounds.

Corals and members of the family Chaetodontidae were thought to have a commensal relationship. Coral provides the butterflyfish with food and shelter while coral gets little to nothing in return. However, upon further investigation it seems that C. lineolatus and other corallivore members of Chaetodontidae pose a bigger threat to coral than previously understood. Corallivores disturb the growth of coral species. This predation may have a long-term effect of on reef biodiversity. The loss of habitat affects reef fishes, including the Chaetodontidae, by making them more prone to predation from larger fishes.

The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and presence in protected areas. Its biggest threat is the loss of habitat via coral reef degradation, due to the overdevelopment and over-use of coral reefs and their resources.

Source: Wikipedia: Lined butterflyfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lined_butterflyfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.