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Butterbun (Chaetodon sedentarius) — Chaetodontidae

Butterbun

Chaetodon sedentarius
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–92.0 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 reef butterflyfish is a butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a white to yellowish body with a yellow back and a dark band running across the rear of the body and the tail base. It inhabits coral reefs, where it usually lives in pairs. It preferentially eats the eggs of the sergeant major Abudefduf saxatilis, but also polychaete worms, shrimps, amphipods and hydroids. The species forms pairs during breeding and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Butterbun?

The Butterbun has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly white and shows a vertical stripes 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
Rif-koraalvlindervis sourced
English name
Butterbun verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon sedentarius
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Least butterflyfish; Reef butterflyfish; Reef Butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
92.0 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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