Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes · Family Overview)

Details

Chaetodontidae—the butterflyfishes—are among the most conspicuous reef indicator fishes in the tropics. Key genera include Chaetodon and Heniochus. Many species are corallivores or feed on small benthic invertebrates, using small mouths with brush‑like teeth to nip prey within coral branches. Their eye bars, ocelli and vivid stripes aid crypsis and social signalling.

Ecology & Biology

• Diet: ranges from obligate corallivory to omnivory/invertebrate predation (worms, gastropods, sponges).

• Sociality: commonly seen in pairs or small groups; many species maintain territories and stable pair bonds.

• Reproduction: pelagic broadcast spawners; eggs and larvae are planktonic with a diagnostic tholichthys stage.

Identification

• Body form: deep, laterally compressed; continuous dorsal fin (anterior spines + posterior soft rays); small mouth, short‑to‑moderate snout.

• Patterns: eye bars, diagonal/reticulate stripes, tail bands and ocelli are frequent.

• Vs. angelfishes: Pomacanthidae typically bear a preopercular spine, absent in butterflyfishes; butterflyfishes have smaller mouths and finer dentition.

Size & Longevity

• Length: mostly 8–23 cm, large species to ~30 cm.

• Life: typically 5–12 years; longer in protected reefs.

Range & Habitat

Indo‑Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean tropical–subtropical reefs: reef flats, outer slopes, lagoons and sponge/seagrass assemblages; also utilise artificial reefs.

Conservation & People

• Threats: coral bleaching/habitat loss, aquarium collection, coastal pollution and overfishing.

• Indicator value: corallivorous species closely track live coral cover and reef structural complexity.

• Management: marine protected areas, export/collection controls, connectivity and water‑quality improvements.

IUCN: this is a family‑level overview; statuses span LC–EN among species. Marked here as Not Evaluated (NE) for the overview entry.