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Butterbun (Chaetodon capistratus) — Chaetodontidae

Butterbun

Chaetodon capistratus
LC · Least Concern

The Butterbun (Chaetodon capistratus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, pale body with fine, diagonally running lines and a large, black-rimmed eyespot near the tail base, plus a dark band over the real eye. This false eyespot misleads predators about the direction in which the fish will flee. It lives on shallow reefs, usually singly or in pairs, and feeds on zoantharians, polychaete worms, gorgonians and tunicates. During breeding the species forms pairs.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Butterbun?

The Butterbun has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Butterbun live?

The Butterbun lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Butterbun get?

The Butterbun grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Butterbun dangerous to humans?

The Butterbun is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

Is the Butterbun edible?

The Butterbun is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vieroog-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Butterbun verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon capistratus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Butterfly; Four eye butterflyfish; Foureye butterfly; Foureye butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

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