Home · Chaetodontidae · Threeband butterflyfish
Threeband butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) — Chaetodontidae

Threeband butterflyfish

Chaetodon humeralis
LC · Least Concern

The Threeband butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The threebanded butterflyfish (Chaetodon humeralis) is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae from the eastern Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery-white body with three dark vertical bands and a snout-like mouth, and reaches about 25 cm. It is usually seen in pairs or small groups in rocky areas near the shore and sometimes forms schools with other species. The diet consists of algae and small bottom invertebrates. The species is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding. Owing to its deep, compressed shape it can manoeuvre nimbly among rocks and crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threeband butterflyfish?

The Threeband butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Threeband butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Threeband butterflyfish get?

The Threeband butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Threeband butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Threeband butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Threeband butterflyfish edible?

The Threeband butterflyfish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Driebands-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Threeband butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon humeralis
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Threebanded butterflyfish; Three-banded butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.4 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Beak-shaped 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore 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
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chaetodon

More from the family Chaetodontidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →