Pebbled butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
The pebbled butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus) is a species of marine fish, a butterflyfish from the family Chaetodontidae. It is often found near reefs. They are at most 12 cm in length, and white with yellow, brown, and black markings. These butterflyfish are territorial and form pairs. The pebbled butterflyfish occur near reefs in the eastern central Pacific, and are endemic to waters off the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. They have a role in aquarium trade.
- Scientific name
- Chaetodon multicinctus
- Authority
- Garrett, 1863
- Family
- Chaetodontidae
- Order
- Acanthuriformes
- Maximum length
- 12 cm
- Depth range
- 5–114 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
- Gbif occurrence records
- 4,596
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Acanthuriformes · Family: Chaetodontidae · Genus: Chaetodon.
Accepted name: Chaetodon multicinctus · Authority: Garrett, 1863 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 273349.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Exornator exornator multicinctus (Garrett, 1863).
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273349 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Chaetodon multicinctus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 5–114 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.
FishBase notes: Benthopelagic over reefs and rocks (Ref. 58302). Feed mainly on coral polyps, also polychaete worms and small shrimps. Usually seen in pairs. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Form pairs during breeding (Ref. 205).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 7810) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Chaetodon-multicinctus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
4,596 georeferenced occurrence records for Chaetodon multicinctus are published through GBIF from 3 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 34 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 10 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: United States of America (4,374); United States Minor Outlying Islands (220); Marshall Islands (2).
The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2385385) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2385385&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=273349 (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 multicinctus Garrett, 1863 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 165655) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/165655/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2385385) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2385385/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Pebbled butterflyfish reach maximum lengths of 12 cm. The body is spotted and white, though it may bear shades of green and yellow. There are five light brown bands crossing the side of the body. On the ventral side, a dark line extends from the anal fins, gradually lightening to yellow as it moves towards the pelvic fins. Though often mistaken for the crochet butterflyfish (Chaetodon guentheri) or speckled butterflyfish (Chaetodon citrinellus), the pebbled butterflyfish can be distinguished by its vertical bands.
On the dorsal and anal fins, there is a black line running lengthwise, approximately one-third the total height of the fin from the outer margin. The pelvic fins are white, and the pectorals are transparent. The caudal fin bears a black crescent at its middle and a dark ring at its base.
They form pairs, especially for breeding, and lay eggs. Pebbled butterflyfish are monogamous and are aggressively territorial. They will mate to defend a feeding territory. The diet of the pebbled butterflyfish is fairly specialist, and is composed of coral polyps, polychaete worms, and small shrimps.
Pebbled butterflyfish are distributed throughout the eastern central Pacific Ocean. They are found in waters off the Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. Pebbled butterflyfish occur near coral reefs and over rocks.
Source: Wikipedia: Pebbled butterflyfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebbled_butterflyfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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