Home · Chaetodontidae · Yellow-dotted butterflyfish
Yellow-dotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon selene) — Chaetodontidae

Yellow-dotted butterflyfish

Chaetodon selene
LC · Least Concern

The Yellow-dotted butterflyfish (Chaetodon selene) is a saltwater fish of the family Chaetodontidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The yellow-dotted butterflyfish is a butterflyfish from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a deep, yellowish-white, laterally compressed body with rows of fine yellow dots, a dark eye band and a dark band across the rear margin. As a reef-dweller it searches in pairs among coral for small invertebrates, polyps and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the reef aquarium. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish?

The Yellow-dotted butterflyfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish live?

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

How big does the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish get?

The Yellow-dotted butterflyfish grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Yellow-dotted butterflyfish edible?

The Yellow-dotted 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
Geelgestippelde koraalvlinder verified
English name
Yellow-dotted butterflyfish verified
Scientific name
Chaetodon selene
Family
Chaetodontidae
Other names
Moon coralfish; Yellowdotted butterflyfish; Yellow-dotted butterflyfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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 →