Butterfly Fish

Animals Unique | Butterfly Fish | The butterfly fish is a small sized Generally species of marine fish, found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs. The butterfly fish is well known for it's brightly colored and elaborate body markings.There are more than 100 different species of butterfly fish found distributed throughout the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, meaning That the butterfly fish is a salt-water species of (marine) fish.

 

The average butterfly fish is fairly small and Generally Grows to around 4 or 5 inches in length. Some species of the butterfly fish however, are known to grow to 8 inches (20 cm) long and butterfly fish some individuals have been known to grow to 30 cm in length.The butterfly fish can live for up to 10 years in a well kept aquarium but will only reach about 7 years old in the wild. The butterfly fish is a fish to keep as difficult, They need very specific water conditions That need regular and close monitoring and so the butterfly fish is only found in specific water conditions in the wild.

 

 

 

The butterfly fish is most closely related to the marine angelfish the which is similar in color but the marine angelfish is much larger in size Often than the butterfly fish. Butterfly fish can be distinguished from angelfish by the dark spots on Their bodies, dark bands around Their Eyes and the fact That the mouth of the butterfly fish is more pointed than the mouth of the angelfish.Butterfly fish are diurnal animals That means the which They are feeding during the day and resting in the coral during the night. Most species of butterfly fish feed on the plankton in the water, coral and sea anemones and occasionally snack on small crustaceans. That butterfly fish Those fish primarily feed on the plankton in the water are Generally the smaller species of butterfly fish and can be seen in large groups. 

 

 

The larger species of butterfly fish are fairly solitary or stay with Their mating partner.Butterfly fish are preyed upon by a number of large fish predators Including Such as snappers, eels and sharks. Due to the fact That the butterfly fish is small in size, it is Itself Able to tuck into crevices in the coral in order to escape danger and Prevent Itself from being eaten.Butterfly fish form pairs That They REMAIN mating with for life. Their butterfly fish release eggs into the water the which form part of the plankton (Because of this it is That many butterfly fish eggs are accidentally eaten by animals That live on plankton). When the eggs hatch, the baby butterfly fish (known as fry) develop armoured plates on Their bodies to protect them when They are so vulnerable. As the butterfly fish gets, these older plates disappear. Butterfly fish have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years although some of the larger species of butterfly fish are known to get to much older.Today, the butterfly fish is Considered to be an endangered animal Mainly as butterfly fish Threatened Populations have been due to water pollution and habitat loss. 

 

 

The destruction of coral reefs Occurs Mainly from boats, and without Their coral habitats, the butterfly fish find it difficult, to survive as They have less food and are also more exposed to predators.

Butterfly Fish Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Chaetodontidae
Common Name: Butterfly fish
Scientific Name: Chaetodontidae
Origin: Atlantic, Indian, Pacific Oceans
Diet: omnivore
Size (L): 7cm - 15cm (3in - 6in)
Water Type: Salt
Optimum pH Level: 8.1 - 8.6
Life Span: 6-12 years
Conservation Status: Endangered
Colour: Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Silver
Skin Type: Scales
Favourite Food: Plankton
Habitat: Tropical coral reefs
Average Clutch Size: 200
Main Prey: Plankton, Coral, crustaceans
Predators: Fish, Eels, Sharks
Distinctive Features: elongated nose and bright colors