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Butterbun (Chaetodon ocellatus) — Chaetodontidae

Butterbun

Chaetodon ocellatus
LC · Least Concern

The Butterbun (Chaetodon ocellatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus) is a butterflyfish of the family Chaetodontidae from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species has a tall, laterally compressed, white-yellow body with a dark band over the eye, yellow fins and a black spot at the edge of the dorsal fin, and reaches about 20 cm. At night it develops dark cross-bands. It inhabits clear, shallow coral reefs and feeds on polychaete worms, small invertebrates and coral polyps. The species is oviparous and forms pairs during breeding. With its snout-like mouth it can pick prey from narrow crevices.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Butterbun?

The Butterbun has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white 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 20 cm.

Is the Butterbun dangerous to humans?

No, the Butterbun is harmless to humans.

Is the Butterbun edible?

The Butterbun is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spotvin-koraalvlinder sourced
English name
Butterbun verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon ocellatus
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Common butterflyfish; School mistress; Spotfin butterfly; Spotfin butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Spots 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 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
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

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