How to Identify Reef Butterflyfish

Video Transcript

The fish that we are going to identify now is the Reef Butterflyfish. I think the Reef Butterflyfish is the prettiest of the butterflyfish species. Commonly seen in the tropical waters around the U.S. and Caribbean. Its belly is white to nearly silver while its back and dorsal fin are yellow. Reef Butterflyfish also have two dark vertical bands on their bodies. One is near the rear of the fish, the other runs across the eye. This is a defensive color scheme, as it confuses predators about which end of the fish is the front. That confusion means that the predator may not know which way the Reef Butterflyfish will go if it is attacked. Reef Butterflyfish are common in the waters of Florida and the Bahamas, but fairly uncommon in most parts of the Caribbean, except the eastern and southern parts. Reef Butterflyfish, like most butterflyfish are three to five inches long and nearly as tall as they are long. They are generally seen in pairs and these pairs are thought to stay together for extended periods of time, perhaps even their entire lives. Like most butterflyfish, the best way to closely observe them is to remain stationary along their path of travel and let them approach you closely. That's the Reef Butterflyfish.

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