Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae)

The Eight-Banded Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Octofasciatus) is another common species found in local waters, particularly around the shallower inshore reef areas.

It is easily recognised by its yellow/white-ish overall colouration with 8 narrow vertical black bands along the length of its body. The caudal fin is generally transparent and there is a black stripe on the top of the snout.

Growing to only around 12cm in length and rather shy in nature, these can be surprisingly difficult fish to get a good photograph of.

Their diet consists of coral polyps and they are most commonly found close to branching corals such as Staghorns, parrticularly in their juvenile phase.

The Lined Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Lineolatus) is one of the largest members of the Butterflyfish family.

Reaching a length or around 30cm, this is a common species in local waters, although never found in significant numbers.

Usually found singularly or in pairs, this species is easily identified by its comparatively large size and distinctive colouration.
The body is generally silvery/grey with thin black vertical bars joining a broader black bar at the rear.

All of the black vertical bars are around three quarter length, therefore the belly is generally unmarked.

The dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are all yellow and there is another yellow mark just forward of the thick black bar.

The main distinguishing feature is the white spot on the nape, surrounded by a wide black bar running vertically down the head.

It is this feature which distinguishes the species from the similar (though not locally occuring) Spot-Nape Butterflyfish (Chaetodon Oxycephalus).

The Lined Butterflyfish feeds on a diet consisting mainly of algae, coral polyps and small invertibrates.

The Longfin Bannerfish (Heniochus Acuminatus) is a very common species in local waters.

Although it has a very characteristic appearance, it is often mistaken for other species of similar appearance, particularly the Moorish Idol (Zanclus Cornutus), made famous in the movie Finding Nemo, and the less famous, but more closely related Schooling Bannerfish (Heniochus Diphreutes).

Adults are distinguished by their long, tapering dorsal filament. The body has two broad black bands and the dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are yellow. There is also a small black band above the eyes and a black mark on the snout.

Growing to a maximum length of around 25cm, Longfin Bannerfish feed on a diet consisting mainly of zooplankton and small invertibrates.